A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will ensure Victoria remains the number one racing state in Australia by continuing the Victorian Racing Industry Fund, helping to boost jobs and investment right around the state.
The racing industry contributes $4.3 billion to the economy and helps sustain more than 33,000 jobs across Victoria.
A re-elected Labor Government will deliver $72 million to continue the Victorian Racing Industry Fund for another four years.
The fund provides grants for animal welfare initiatives, club infrastructure upgrades, breeding programs, integrity measures, training facilities and race day attraction programs across Victoria.
It includes unclaimed wagering dividends and on-course wagering taxes, which are returned back to the racing industry over four years.
The fund improves the quality and safety of racing and training infrastructure, particularly in regional Victoria. It improves public facilities at Victorian racing venues and provides ongoing support for breeding across the three racing codes.
It also provides funding for projects that support the welfare of racing animals and supports the wellbeing of jockeys and trainers.
Continuing the fund with this $72 million investment will provide certainty for metropolitan, regional and country racing clubs by supporting projects and race meetings that increase attendance and grow the industry from the grass roots to elite level.
This builds on the work the Labor Government has already delivered to strengthen Victoria’s racing industry, with new laws to bolster integrity standards by providing independent oversight and a robust disciplinary framework for the industry.
This includes the establishment of two new bodies – the Victorian Racing Integrity Board and the Victorian Racing Tribunal.
The Victorian Racing Integrity Board will ensure senior staff of Racing Victoria, Greyhound Racing Victoria and Harness Racing Victoria can operate independently from commercial considerations, while the Victorian Racing Tribunal will ensure Victoria has the right disciplinary regime to enforce the rules of racing across the three codes.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Racing Martin Pakula
“A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will ensure Victoria remains the premier racing state with a major boost to the Victorian Racing Industry Fund to ensure jobs and investment remain in Victoria and continue to grow.”
“The Government is investing in the future of racing in Victoria, by supporting participants in all three codes in the suburbs, regional cities and country towns right around the state.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020