NEGOTATIONS are very much in the early stages on an amalgamation of the control boards for the three racing codes in Queensland.

Bob Bentley, chairman of Queensland Racing, said today the chairmen of the three codes were in discussion with the State Government which was prepared to consider a funding package.

Tourism and Fair Trading Minister, Peter Lawlor, told the Brisbane Sunday Mail that the industry needed a major funding boost. The Government is considering a $100 million injection.

“A number of racecourses are in urgent need of capital expenditure if the industry is going to remain competitive and grow in Queensland,” Lawlor said.

He said the three control bodies had agreed to work together. Bentley believes there has been enough enthusiasm shown between the three bodies for an amalgamation to occur.

He said an integrated Board to control the three codes would not be a Racing Commission.

Bentley said no decision had been made at this stage but he expected a combined Board, of possibly seven, would be drawn from the existing Boards of the three codes.

He denied suggestions that the new Board of Queensland Racing Limited, to be decided in a vote on Monday (December 21), would be replaced if an All Code Integrated Board was established.

“I would imagine a combined Board would be selected from the existing Boards of the three codes but no decision has been made on that.’

Bentley said there were considerable cost savings to be made from the integration of the three Boards. “A Government injection of funds is needed by all sectionals of the industry,” he said.