LNP shadow Minister for Racing, Ray Stevens, has demanded racing’s 'invisible man', Labor Minister Mr Peter Lawlor, conduct an audit of Queensland Racing to find out where the funds from UNiTAB have gone over the years, before all racing codes are handed over to this same group of administrators under new legislation going through Parliament this month.

“How much racing industry money has been spent by this group of people on court cases and corruption inquiries?” Mr Stevens asked.

“How much racing industry money has been paid to consultants chasing super tracks, takeovers of turf clubs and real estate wheeling and dealing by this current board, who Mr Lawlor says should continue controlling industry funds unelected until at least 2014.  Then they get the chance to recommend themselves for re-appointment in 2014.  Nice work if you can get it!” Mr Stevens said.

“How much will new board members be paid?”, Mr Stevens asked.

“And how much racing industry money from UNiTAB has Queensland Racing squirreled away into its own interest bearing deposits, depriving Queensland tracks of much needed funding for track maintenance and additional prize money?

“Mr Lawlor should be ashamed of his ‘don’t blame me, blame Bentley’ political trickery and tell the people of all three racing codes in Queensland exactly what has been spent.

“Rumour has it that almost $700,000 was spent investigating the relocation of the Gold Coast Turf Club alone, when any half intelligent analyst could have told QR, Palm Meadows was a flood hole and had no chance of being the home of another casino on the Gold Coast.

“Premier Bligh and Minister Lawlor are treating racing industry folk as politically naïve and ignorant, who will still vote Labor even if their industry is in turmoil.

“This is far from the truth that I am hearing and the ‘blame Bentley game’ is up as far as the thoroughbred industry is concerned.

“I urge racing’s invisible man, Peter Lawlor, to show some vision and reign in this out-of-control, control body about to be called ‘Racing Queensland’”, Mr Stevens concluded.

MEDIA RELEASE FROM SHADOW MINISTER FOR RACING RAY STEVENS

Media Contact: Mr Ray Stevens MP on 0417 750 503