PLANS for a merged control body for the three racing codes in Queensland are on the brink of collapse with major industry stakeholders prepared to mutiny over suggestions that a five-year term is being sought for the new Board headed by Bob Bentley.
The chairman of a major race club protested to Racing Minister Peter Lawlor at the perceived lack of transparency in the role that Bentley is playing in the proposed entity and says he has been told that the Government will only intervene if sufficient stakeholders provide a united objection.
Such is the gravity of the concern in the industry that four TAB race clubs and at least two major throughbred industry bodies are prepared to join forces and confront the Minister over what they claim is a lack of information and consultation on the merged control body proposal.The Courier-Mail reported today that the merger proposal was facing a backlash with stakeholders claiming a lack of consultation. There were also calls to have some indepdent Board members on the merged entity to ensure thoroughbred racing did not dominate.
The report claimed the chairmen of the two biggest race clubs in Queensland - Kevin Dixon of the Brisbane Racing Club and Andrew Eggleston of the Gold Coast Turf Club - have not been included in the consultation process.
There are also reports spreading throughout the three codes that prominent businessman and influential harness racing identity, Kevin Seymour, is at odds with Bentley over the conditions of the merger proposal.
Whilst Bentley and Racing Minisgter Lawlor have insisted the merger proposal is still in its infancy, there are suggestions that Government will consider a legislative proposal in the near future.
Racing industry stakeholders have listed the following concerns about the merger process:
(1) Suggestions that Bentley has a 'wish-list' for the merged Board that includes a five-year term, which would effectively mean that he and deputy Tony Hanmer would not have to stand for re-election in the next year or two. (Hanmer has not been a popular appointee from the outset and Bentley would be 70 at the end of a five-year term).
(2) Suggestions that high profile Labor figure and union heavyweight, Bill Ludwig, will soon stand down from the QR Board and that Bentley will attempt to have his old mate, Neville Stewart, who did not even make the short list for the latest Board election, appointed to the vacancy. (Industry observers say such a move would create the biggest controversy for Bentley since the Integrity days of Dr Bob Mason at QR).
(3) Suggestions that millions of dollars being set aside by the Queensland Government to improve facilities will be used at the wrong tracks and even worse for the construction of another of those much despised and disastrous cushion tracks. (There are also calls for a prizemoney increase which is long overdue).
(4) Suggestions that some of the Government funding injection will find its way to Magic Millions amid increasing concerns that any Queensland Racing support for the world's richest horse race plan will prove a restrction of trade for those who want to own horses and race for the best prizemoney without having to buy them at Magic Millions sales.
Queensland Racing is already the subject of much embarrassment over the latest Board election process which was finalised after two Supreme Court challenges. The end result may have followed the requirements of the constitution to the letter of the law but many regard the outcome as a farce.
Cushion tracks continue to haunt QR, as does annual criticism from the owners of Magic Millions, looking for an injection of funds from either the Queensland Government or Queensland Racing.
There was another cushion track debacle midweek when a meeting was transferred from the grass to the swamp at the Sunshine Coast. Heavy scratchings prevailed with only three starters in one race on a card that was not up to midweek standard with terrible turnover.
The punting public and many in the racing industry in Queensland are upset by the annual media and political circus that surrounds one of the biggest days of racing in the north - the Magic Millions.
Most are asking the question: 'How could any Government justify giving money to a private enterprise company when they don't seem to have enough to fund the requirements of hospitals and roads which are far more important to the community?'