IN hiswidely-read column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published by the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS warns that unless Racing Queensland starts to consult with country trainers on the new Workers’ Compensation Premiums it could be facing industrial action.
There are legitimate claims that the new Scheme favors the bigger stables and is discriminatory against the battlers. Even worse it appears to have been solely negotiated by RQ with the Queensland branch of the Australian Trainers’ Association which is hardly representative outside the metropolitan area.
RQ Chairman Kevin Dixon and Racing Minister Steve Dickson have been accused of turning their backs on battling bush trainers on this issue but there could be an 11th hour reprieve if someone can convince these two heavyweights that they should have been consulting with the widespread number of trainers in the state who certainly don’t belong to the ATA.
Here is the Butts column:
TRAINERS READY TO REVOLT OVER RQ CHANGES TO WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
RACING Queensland is facing a revolt from many of its 1002 licensed trainers over its decision to make changes to the workers’ compensation premium which has been slammed as ‘immoral, ill conceived and blatantly discriminatory’ by the majority of trainers in the state.
RQL advised trainers on July 24 by letter that they would be required to pay $15 plus GST for every runner they started from August 1, just a week later. That equates to about $850,000 a year.
Previously the WorkCover premium paid by trainers has been based on turnover and wages. The bigger the trainer the more he paid.
Now all trainers pay the same. Trainers who have less than 100 starters a year will see their workers’ comp premiums go from around $300 to something like $1,650.
The smaller owner-trainers with no staff had not previously been required to pay WorkCover. Now they will pay at the same rate as the big stables. And, understandably, they are not happy.
And, believe me, there is a real prospect of industrial action by trainers, who are incensed not only by the changes but also the total lack of consultation with the majority of trainers in the state who claim they have been treated like lepers.
And another point of contention was the timing.
BUSH TRAINERS REGARD ATA AS USEFUL TO THEM ‘AS AN ASH TRAY ON A MOTOR BIKE’
SOME trainers are incensed that RQL has jumped into bed with the Queensland branch of the Australian Trainers’ Association which, they believe has single digit active membership (if any members at all) in country areas of the state.
To bush trainers the ATA is considered as useful as an ash tray on a motor bike.
There are no benefits to members in country Queensland, and this writer can testify to that from personal experience, as a member - make that former member. The association is not there to help when asked.
The only benefit from membership of the ATA is that it produces a pretty good racing diary. That’s it!
And that’s exactly what I told the ATA (Queensland Branch) spokesman Cameron Partington last week when I rang personally to complain about the ‘conspiracy’ and question the right of the ATA to negotiate without the approval of the majority of trainers in the state.
ATA’s role and motive in all of this can arguably be questioned.
WHAT RACING QUEENSLAND HAS DEMANDED OF ALL FROM START OF NEW SEASON
IN his letter on July 24 Racing Queensland’s acting chief financial officer Adam Carter advised all trainers that the new system would require them not merely to pay $15 + GST for every horse they saddle up from August 1, but also that they must pay their WorkCover demand (payable in September), of which RQL promises to reimburse 60 per cent.
And he also advised that RQL would charge every trainer another $300 as an ‘activity fee’. Where does that $300,000 go – into the coffers of the control body or will it find its way back to the industry?
Many reckon that’s not just plain rude but an absolute joke.
Obviously the new a system is designed to helps the big trainers who have bigger WorkCover commitments, because of their higher wages and turnover. But why should the smaller trainers subsidize them which seem to be the idea?
Is that fair?
And the other question being asked is: Why is the Australian Trainers’ Association behind this scheme?
Perhaps that’s the reason ATA doesn’t have any members outside the city. It isn’t likely to gain any either with this new system which many trainers based outside the south-east corner are describing as a ‘rort’ whether it is legal or not.
And the Queensland branch of the ATA has just lost another member in yours truly.
NEW SCHEME MIGHT NOT BE ILLEGAL BUT IT IS ‘DOWNRIGHT DISCRIMINATORY’
I am aware that ATSIC and the Office and of Fair Trading have been notified, and while sympathetic, each claim it is not illegal.
But for many who will suffer financially, the whole messy affair is just plain wrong and discriminatory.
In Rockhampton trainers turned out in force at their recent Association monthly meeting and overwhelmingly rejected the changes.
There have also been serious and genuine threats to boycott race meetings.
Members agree to oppose the scheme in its entirety, including a Base Management Fee and any on-going Activity Fee being charged to trainer’s accounts.
They also voted to engage legal counsel to further examine aspects of RQL and ATA activities, which based on initial advice, would appear to breach a number of areas of Australian Corporate Law.
Mr Jim Rundle, President of the Rockhampton Trainers’ Association, described the scheme as ‘flawed and ill-conceived and blatantly discriminatory against a large cross section of trainers in order to subsidize workers’ compensation rebates to primarily, larger trainers.’
Workers’ Compensation insurance premiums for all business operations, not just the racing industry, are calculated by WorkCover Queensland, an authorized Government agency.
“The rate of payment for premiums is calculated on a percentage of wages paid by the business. The amount can vary across business operations even within the same industry, based on the frequency of incidents and accidents which result in employee lost time through injury.
“In this regard the racing industry is no different to any other business in Australia which employs people and pays WorkCover Insurance premiums.”
RQL AND THE ATA CLAIM THEY HAVE REQUESTED FEEDBACK FROM ALL TRAINERS
JIM Rundle said RQL and the ATA insisted they had been pro active and consulted widely, requesting feedback from trainers across the state regarding this initiative.
“They also allege they have received overwhelming support to implement the system as soon as possible.”
Mr Rundle said: “At the beginning of July there were 121 licensed thoroughbred trainers in the Capricornia region representing about 12 per cent of Queensland trainers and we cannot find one who was ever consulted by either the ATA or RQL and asked for feedback on any such proposed scheme.
“Our members find it very difficult to fathom, how the new scheme where trainers who have no or low WorkCover claims, subsidize those trainers with a high rate of claims, will ever have any effect on reducing work place hazards, or ultimately produce a safer environment within racing stables.”
Mr Rundle said: “Our Association would be very keen to assist in any review to improve Workplace safety and its impact on WorkCover premiums should RQL and the ATA ever wish to take a bigger picture view and a more considered and professional approach to an industry wide concern.”
COUNTRY TRAINERS CLAIM THAT RQL AND RACING MINISTER WON’T TALK TO THEM
WORSE still, Mr Rundle said last night that neither the Racing Minister Steven Dickson nor anyone in authority at Racing Queensland (including the Chairman Kevin Dixon) would talk to him on this issue.
“They just won’t take our calls or answer our letters” he said.
However, the state’s biggest trainer Robert Heathcote has been on the phone to Mr Rundle begging sympathy and understanding. “I am paying $60,000 a year WorkCover,” he cried.
But when asked what his turnover was, Heathcote declined to say.
And he is not the only big-timer who has been on the phone.
Another allegedly made threats to Toowoomba licensee Brad Hudson who went public on the issue last week.
"The $15 fee is potentially crippling to the already cash strapped country racing industry and the smaller stables which will receive no benefits whatsoever from the levy.
“The idea of the bottom-end trying to prop up the top-end financially is a bit difficult to comprehend,” Mr Hudson said.
“A levy on prizemoney would be preferable,”
WHAT RIGHT HAS RQL TO JUST DEAL WITH AN ORGANISATION THAT ISN’T REPRESENTATIVE?
BUT as it now stands the big trainers will pay the same as the battlers - $15 per runner.
No doubt it will be a major financial relief for the big stables but a major disaster for the battler.
And really, is that fair?
Chairman Kevin Dixon said yesterday he was only concerned that all employees of trainers had adequate insurance cover.
“That really is our only concern,” he said.
He said his Board had been working closely with WorkCover and the ATA to formulate the most appropriate scheme.
“But if the trainers don’t want this new system we are happy to negotiate- so long as everyone has the right cover.
“To date we have been dealing with their representative - the Australian Trainers’ Association,” said Mr Dixon.
So the problem obviously is between the ATA and the state’s trainers who it purports to represent.
The question is: Does the ATA have the right to negotiate on behalf of trainers who are not members?
That is the majority of trainers in the state.
A COUPLE OF PROMISING FEMALE APPRENTICES STARTING OUT IN THE NORTH
TOWNSVILLE newest apprentice jockey Emma Jlung might not have won but enjoyed a day to remember at her riding debut at Atherton on Saturday.
Emma finished second at her first ever ride on Allover for her master (or is it mistress) Olivia Cairns in the second and went within half a length on the Greg Wehlow-trained Pete The Clown in the fourth.
The impressive and hard working young Emma is not expected to be out of the winner’s stall for long. According to all the good judges she has a very promising career ahead.
Fellow apprentice Juliet Kuskoph, who has already ridden at Mt Isa and Gladstone, is still chasing her maiden win and was without luck in the first at Atherton’s successful Sunday meeting.
She too just can’t wait for the first winner, and the contest is ‘on’ to see who breaks the ice first.
NEAR RECORD NUMBERS PADDOCKED FOR EWAN MEETING IN SEPTEMBER
A near-record 41 horses went to the Hillgrove Station paddock on Sunday for the upcoming Ewan meeting on September 28 and 29.
“It is 10 more than last year and we are looking forward to another two big days of racing,” said secretary Noel Brosnan, who was at the gate to meet the floats.
Charters Towers trainer John Barr dropped off 12, Olivia Cairns had five, and president, Robbie Kirkwood, will have seven competitors.
This is the first year Ewan will have Benchmark racing, with the Cup restricted to 62 rated milers.
Ewan has always been a highly popular bush meeting, especially for campers and kids who enjoy VIP status.
Unlike the Townsville Amateurs last week, which was restricted to 18+, and had possibly the smallest crowd ever seen at this once huge racing drawcard.
COLUMN COURTESY OF TERRY BUTTS AND THE NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, one of Australia's leading rural newspapers.
TERRY BUTTS can be contacted by e-mailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
