CONGRATULATIONS to the Gold Coast Bulletin on an editorial today which precisely sums up the controversy surrounding the failure of Queensland Racing to allocate a date for the Magic Millions block-buster on the tourist strip next January.

We reproduce this editorial, courtesy of the Bulletin and News Limited. It is a must read for all racing fans and stakeholders and we have added the question and answer that it provoked from Shadow Racing Minister Ray Stevens and Racing Minister Peter Lawlor in the Queensland Parliament today.

Here is the Gold Coast Bulletin message to the parties warring over Magic Millions day:

‘It is difficult to see the decision by Queensland Racing – read Queensland Government – to deny the Gold Coast Race Club a race day for next year’s magic Millions as anything other than power politics at its crudest.

If the threat is carried out it could strip this city not only of one of the top draw-cards in its event calendar but also of the estimated $60 million the event brings to the Coast.

The background to this outrageous act of blackmail is the Government offer of vitally needed funds for an upgrade of the Bundall track facilities in return for the title deeds.

The sticking point is that accepting the offer requires GCTC to accept assurances by QR that it will act fairly toward the GCTC once it has its hands on the deeds, something which, based on past experience, many of the GCTC Board are reluctant to do.

Previously we have argued that GCTC has little choice but to accept the QR offer or watch its assets slowly deteriorate, and that still remains our point of view.

The GCTC Board has so far voted otherwise and one of the reasons for this is that QR has yet to formalize and detail their offer to GCTC in writing – which makes the QR threat against MM doubly confusing.

Clearly QR and the State Government are attempting to force the GCTC to make a decision by putting a loaded gun to its head.

We would like to make one thing clear to the Queensland Government and indeed to the Board of the GCTC – the Magic Millions belongs to everyone on the Gold Coast.

It benefits everyone on the Gold Coast, not just the racing fraternity.

While QR and GCTC bicker, Queensland’s contract with MM has expired and MM organizers have reportedly begun negotiating with Victorian racing officials to possibly hold the event at Flemington – something, which if it eventuates, will be a financial and public relations disaster for the Gold Coast.

For the Government, QR and GCTC to risk losing MM by indulging in this kind of brinksmanship is grossly irresponsible and we call on all parties to sit down and reach agreement before the looming disaster eventuates.’

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE ISSUE IN THE QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENT TODAY

IN the QUEENSLAND Parliament today the Shadow Racing Minister, Ray Stevens, posed the following:

“My question is to the Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading. The Gold Coast lost the Indy thanks to Labor mate Terry Mackenroth. The Gold Coast lost the A1GP thanks to labor mate Terry Mackenroth. Today it is reported that the Gold Coast is about to lose the prized racing carnival Magic Millions thanks to labor mate Bob Bentley. Will the Minister give an undertaking that he will personally step in and guarantee that the Magic Millions will proceed?”

RACING MINISTER LAWLOR: ‘I thank the honorable member for the question. As he is well aware the Government does not intervene in relation to race dates. However, I have had a discussion with the Chairman of Queensland Racing and I have been assured that the Magic Millions will proceed. By the way, the Queensland Government, as you are well aware, has allocated $80 million over the next four years to support the racing industry. Compare that with what you guys offered – nothing, absolutely nothing.

“The Queensland Government has allocated $80 million over four years to the racing industry for the purpose of capital works in the racing industry which obviously are needed. The catalyst for that allocation was a submission which the Treasurer received from Queensland Racing. The catalyst for that was the improvements that are required at the Gold Coast Turf Club to support the Magic Millions event.

“The Magic Millions event is an important event for Queensland and particularly for the Gold Coast. It is estimated that it contributes almost $30 million to the Queensland economy. The Government will not see the Magic Millions moved from Queensland. I understand that the Victorian Government is holding talks with the magic Millions and it would be disappointing if they were successful. The Government has allocated the funding that will enable the upgrade that is required to the Gold Coast Turf club to ensure….

MR STEVENS: Just guarantee it.

MR LAWLOR: There is an agreement that has to be reached between the Turf Cub and Magic Millions. The member is well aware of that. The Magic Millions is a private enterprise business and it can take it where it likes. So far as Queensland Racing and the Queensland Government goes, we will do eveything to ensure that the race stays on the Gold Coast.”