Hansard debates

                                  JUMPS RACING
Debate  resumed  from  17  September;   motion   of   Ms   PENNICUIK   (Southern
Metropolitan):
  That this house takes note of the petition bearing 532 signatures from certain
  citizens of Victoria requesting that the  Legislative Council of Victoria call
  on the Minister for Racing to intervene and end steeplechase and hurdle racing
  in Victoria tabled in the house on 5 August 2014.

  Mr ONDARCHIE (Northern Metropolitan)  -- I rise to  speak to general business,
order of the day 1, the motion to take note of a jumps racing petition tabled in
this chamber by  Ms Pennicuik. I want  to start by making sure  that members are
aware of the importance of Victoria's dynamic racing industry to  the  people of
this state.

The  Victorian  racing  industry supports over 70 000 jobs across the state  and
contributes over $2 billion to the Victorian economy, more than half of which is
generated in country Victoria.  The  Napthine coalition government has committed
up to  $79.5 million  over its  four years  in office  to the  Victorian  racing
industry for initiatives to improve racing and training venues, and for selected
programs to further stimulate  industry growth and  development. As part of  its
plan for racing, on 1 July 2011 the government established  what is known as the
Victorian   Racing  Industry  Fund  (VRIF),  through  which  unclaimed  wagering
dividends and on-course wagering taxes are returned to the racing industry.

In addition to  those  existing government  funding  commitments to  the  racing
industry,  the following key priorities were identified, and  funded through the
VRIF.  At  least $30 million  has  been provided  for  improving  racetracks and
facilities, at least $10 million for the breeding and sales industry, $4 million
for drug research, $2 million for jumps racing,  $1  million  for  the fantastic
greyhound  adoption program and $1 million for Living Legends, which is a  great
tourist venue. I encourage many Victorians, Australians and overseas visitors to
go and visit  Living  Legends out there in  Oaklands Junction as you head  to Mr
Elsbury and Mr Finn's electorate. Picnic races have received $200 000.
Since  the  VRIF commenced  operations  the government has  supported  the three
racing controlling bodies and their racing clubs, with over $7.7 million already
invested  in 69 infrastructure projects at racing and training venues across the
state.

This was a long overdue initiative to provide our racing industry with new funds
to support growth and  to  maintain  Victoria's  position  as  the leader of the
national racing industry. We are the only state or territory  where  the Premier
is  also  the  Minister  for  Racing.  That  being the case, logic follows  that
Victoria is the premier state for racing.
As I indicated earlier in my contribution, in May 2011 the Premier announced the
establishment of the Victorian Racing Industry  Fund, which has provided funding
for  vital  improvements  to racing and training. All of  that  money  has  been
committed to improvements in racing infrastructure and public facilities, and to
support projects aimed at attracting more patrons to racing events. Through this
fund  the   government  has  provided  critical  support  to  racing   clubs  --
particularly regional racing  clubs, both big  and small, right across Victoria.
We have also provided funding of  over $18 million to support important industry
development initiatives.

This  includes  $4 million for  drug  research, $2  million  for  animal welfare
programs and  $10  million over the four years to support and promote Victoria's
breeding and sales industries.
I want to touch on some of the initiatives the Napthine coalition government has
delivered for the Victorian  racing industry. In  Cranbourne, where great  local
Liberal candidate Geoff Ablett is working hard to promote opportunities for that
area,  we  contributed $279 000  to the grandstand  redevelopment  at Cranbourne
Racecourse. In Geelong,  where Ron Nelson is  campaigning hard for  the  Liberal
Party,  an  outdoor deck  and  children's playground has  received  $62 000. The
outdoor picnic area at The Meadows,  the greyhound racing track at Broadmeadows,
has received $80 000. That is a very important venue for greyhound racing. It is
very  busy on  Saturday  nights  with families  and  patrons, and  on  Wednesday
afternoons as well. We have also contributed  $120 000 to a track upgrade at The
Meadows.

I know our candidates in Ballarat are campaigning  very  hard.  Josh  Morris  is
doing a lot of work in supporting 

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Ballarat. Over $310 000 has been provided  to the  Ballarat track upgrade. A new
float car park gate has  been provided in Horsham. In Kilmore Donna Petrovich is
working  very hard to support the local community track drainage and resurfacing
works, which have received $14  600.  There  are  various programs to ensure the
return of racing  to six tracks: Boort,  Gunbower, Ouyen, St  Arnaud, Wangaratta
and  Wedderburn.  In Bairnsdale  we  made a contribution  to  promote racing  to
families -- mini marquees and furniture will  be  put into the Bairnsdale Racing
Club.
I have talked a bit about the Ballarat Turf Club, but I want to  talk a bit more
about what we are  doing there.  We have installed new fencing at the racecourse
entrance, provided  a new turf mower and funded an upgrade to the course  proper
and also the mounting yard, making it a really attractive venue  for patrons and
lovers of this great sport.

Other initiatives include  irrigation works at Bendigo racecourse, an upgrade to
the  horse stalls  at Burrumbeet  Park &  Windermere Racing Club and a  new turf
mower for Colac Turf Club. I have talked about  the  grandstand redevelopment at
the  Cranbourne  Racing Centre, but we also upgraded the track drainage  at  the
Cranbourne Training Complex. There is also the new heating and cooling system at
the Donald and District Racing Club, which  is part  of Wimmera  Racing Club. At
the Drouin Picnic  Racing Club we upgraded  the administration building.  At the
Dunkeld Racing Club we upgraded the bar facilities to  make  it  really exciting
for  patrons. The Edenhope Race  Club has new floor  coverings, modified barrier
stalls and a new shed to store the horse starting stalls.
Interestingly, in  terms  of our environmental  efforts  -- I know  Ms Pennicuik
would  be very  interested in this -- we provided $900 000 for  six desalination
units and eight water storage tanks at Flemington.

At the Geelong Racing Club, which I know members are passionate about, there was
an on-course  facilities upgrade and an  irrigation upgrade as  well. A drainage
upgrade was done  to the  racecourse at  Hamilton. An  upgrade was  done to  the
pergola  and  outdoor heating at  the  Trackside Cafe at  the  wonderful Kilmore
Racing Club. Some  funding was provided for a  roof over the betting ring at the
Manangatang racecourse, and a new owners facility was provided at the  Melbourne
Racing Club headquarters at Flemington.
A  new  turf mower was provided  for  the Mildura Racing  Club,  and there was a
reconstruction  of  the  course  proper  at Moe. Sewerage works were done at the
Mornington racetrack, one of our great provincial courses. A new horse wash area
was provided to take care of horses at the  Mount Wycheproof  & District  Racing
Club, and a new owners area was  also provided at the club. We have  provided  a
new  turf  mower for the Murtoa racecourse, and a course proper resurfacing  was
done at the Melbourne Racing Club at Sandown -- a $500 million commitment.

And, most exciting,  a  new  racetrack  was installed at Tynong, just outside of
Pakenham -- a synthetic track installation --  to  which  this government made a
contribution of over $3 million.
Some  wonderful  work has been done to the perimeter fencing  and  the  practice
starting gates at Sale Turf Club, and there  has been  an irrigation upgrade. At
the Seymour Racing Club there  has  been  the installation of an automatic horse
float and car park gates. At Stawell there  has  been  an  automatic  irrigation
system upgrade and  a new mounting yard upgrade as well. Stony Creek Racing Club
saw support  for  track  drainage  and the Towong Turf Club received funding for
track renovations. We  also improved the  patron experience at racecourses  like
Moonee  Valley,  Caulfield, Mornington and Sandown,  with  either  permanent  or
mobile super screens.

There was  funding for a range  of track drainage  investigation programs across
the state  and funding  for upgrades  to perimeter fencing to make it safer, for
occupational  health and safety  works  at picnic racing  sites and for  plastic
running rails, which have improved the sport at various tracks as well.
At Wangaratta we went ahead with stage 2 of the sand track upgrade, the bullring
construction, the bore water project and the equine swimming pool -- which I got
to look at with the local member. The work they are doing up there is fantastic.
There  is a  new mower for the Wimmera  Racing Club  at Warracknabeal.  There is
funding  for stage 2 of its  fantastic new irrigation system and  for a new turf
aerator and trailer at the Warrnambool Racing Club. At the Wodonga racecourse we
have  funded upgrades to the audiovisuals and practice  starting gates. There is
also new  mounting  yard and public area fencing at the Woolamai racecourse, and
at the Wycheproof racecourse  there is a new roof over the betting ring. We also
made a contribution to the state reception for the Australian Racing Conference.

I talked very briefly about  the  race  day  attraction  program,  making  it  a
wonderful experience  to  get people  to  come  to the  races,  particularly  in
regional cities. It does wonderful things for the economic  health of the towns,
and it gets a  whole lot of connectivity. It is a  great, exciting thing. I will
quickly  touch  on some of the  things we have funded  in  that program. For the
Geelong Greyhound Racing Club we have funded  the Black Caviar Live Site, and we
have funded the Sensational Summer for Kids program through 

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13  racing  clubs through  Greyhound  Racing  Victoria.  We  have  promoted  the
Australian Cup Carnival. We have provided a free race day bus to Sandown, and we
have supported the Sandown Autumn Carnival, the Greyhound Owner of the Day award
and a wonderful  ladies  night  at  Sandown. We have also supported the Hawaiian
Race Day at Shepparton, an event for  participants  in  the Great Victorian Bike
Ride at the Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club and wonderful girls night out events
at various venues, including the Warrnambool Greyhound Racing Club.
The government  has  also invested  in  a Raceday Attraction  Program,  making a
wonderful experience for  the patrons and all  those associated with racing.  We
have supported the Ballarat Cup's Fashions on the Field and a wonderful event at
the Ballarat Harness Racing Club in Ballarat called Ballarat's Got Talent -- and
we  know  that Ballarat has a  lot of talent, not least  the young candidate for
Western Victoria Region and former mayor of Ballarat, Josh Morris.

We have supported  the Night@the Trots in Ballarat, the  Anniversary Cup and
Community Cup  race  meetings at Bendigo  Harness Racing Club,  Charlton's 150th
Anniversary  Cup  and  the  Community  Pink  Ribbon  Ladies Day at the Cobram  &
District Harness Racing Club. At Echuca Harness Racing  Club  we supported a New
Year's  night  event, an Easter Sunday race meeting and the  Black  Caviar  Live
Site.
The other great celebration we saw was the Gunbower Harness Racing Club's return
to racing event. The community just loved  it. It  was a new reinvigorated event
for the people of Gunbower and surrounds. At the Hamilton Harness Racing Club we
supported a promotion for the  Hamilton  Harness Pacing Cup and its Hamilton Cup
Day. We supported new initiatives such as  Great  Southern  Star  and  Breed for
Speed  with Harness Racing Victoria, and we supported the Victoria Cup Race  Day
meeting at the Mildura Harness Racing Club.

Mooroopna had wonderful children's  activities and a Fashions  on the Field day.
Nyah District Harness Racing  Club  had  a  Family  Race  Day, St Arnaud Harness
Racing Club had a Fairytales Race Day, Terang Harness Racing Club had Racing for
Life and Wangaratta Harness Racing Club had its Wangaratta Pacing Cup. There was
a  Wedderburn Cup Day at the Wedderburn Harness Racing Club,  and  Yarra  Valley
Racing held  a  wonderful  ladies  day at Yarra Glen, making new experiences for
patrons.
I am talking about all three forms of racing -- greyhound racing, harness racing
and thoroughbred  racing -- in reverse  order, otherwise known as racing, pacing
and chasing. These are great initiatives. Victorians just love racing.
We helped promote four race meetings at the Alexandra Race Club. The Ararat Turf
Club held the Willaura  Cup event. There were the  Avoca Anzac Day races at  the
Avoca Shire Turf Club.

At the Bairnsdale Racing  Club there was the  150th Bairnsdale Cup  celebration.
There was the Emergency  Services Spring Race Day at the Ballan Jockey Club. The
Ballarat Turf Club held a Tradies Day as well as the Gold Day, the Nugget Horses
and Horsepower Day and a Community Appreciation Day.
At the Benalla Racing Club, there was support for the Euroa Cup Race Day. At the
Bendigo Jockey Club there was support for  the Golden Mile Race Day and a number
of Mosstrooper jumps days.  It  was my pleasure to attend the Mosstrooper annual
celebrations  just a  couple of  weeks ago  on behalf  of the Premier. There was
support also for the Pubs and Clubs  Day,  the Taste of Spring race day and  the
Christmas Party race day.
At the  Buchan  and  Gelantipy  Racing  Club,  the Buchan Cup and East Gippsland
picnic racing days were supported by this  government, as was the New Year's Day
meeting at Burrumbeet Park & Windermere Racing Club.

There was great  support for the Colac Gold Cup at the Colac Racing Club and for
lots  of promotions through  Country  Racing Victoria for  things  like the Kids
Summer of Country Racing Campaign and  family days. Of course we also gave great
support to the  launch of night racing at  the Cranbourne Turf Club.  There is a
fantastic   tri-series  there,   with   the  greyhounds,   harness   racing  and
thoroughbreds  running every 10  minutes  throughout the day.  It is a fantastic
venue, which fills up with local patrons and people from afar.
There  was support  for the Dederang Picnic Racing Club and the St Patrick's Day
races at the Geelong Racing Club, the Australia  Day wine  and food  festival at
the Greater Western Racing Club and Party with the Ponies at the Hamilton Racing
Club. There is a free race day bus to get people to the Horsham Cup. The Kilmore
Racing  Club  has a  travel  campaign for  three  race  meetings, including  the
thoroughbreds.

Kyneton & Hanging Rock Race Club,  a great venue, promotes a  Green and Gold Day
for its Australia Day meeting. We also supported the ChillOut Festival race days
there as well as the wonderful 2013 Macedon Ranges Cup Day.
At the Melbourne  Racing Club, there was support for Melbourne's Greatest Easter
Egg Hunt. At the Mildura 

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Racing Club we supported a Trades and Services  Day. There  was the William Reid
Stakes Black Caviar event at the  Moonee Valley Racing Club. The Pakenham Racing
Club promoted two race meetings, the Evergreen Turf Guineas Day and the Pakenham
Gazette Oaks Day as well as Pakenham Cup day.
There is  lots of support for new entrants with 2  for 1 competitions as well as
the Black Caviar event at Federation Square. At the  Stawell  Racing  Club there
was the Women in Country Racing event.  The Swan Hill Jockey Club  held a Trades
and Services Race Day. The Victoria Racing Club held the Australian Guineas, the
Black Caviar  Lightning  Day  and family days. The Wangaratta Turf Club held the
Wangaratta  Cup and a seniors day. We celebrated Seniors Week last week so it is
a good time to mention that a lot of our older Victorians love the races. I will
also mention the Yarra Valley cup -- --
  Mr Tee interjected.


  Mr ONDARCHIE -- There are  lots more to go, Mr  Tee; hold your horses.  Picnic
racing  is  a wonderful event for local towns. At  Alexandra  we  provided  some
funding for a kitchen fit-out. At Balnarring  we provided funds for a new set of
public toilets. At Buchan we helped to replace the horse stalls and provided for
some marketing and promotion  signs.  At  Merton  we  made a contribution to the
refurbishment  of the judges tower. At Yea, we helped  fund  the  course  marker
signs  and  promotion  signage.  At Balnarring,  we  provided  funding  for  the
ambulance and stewards  truck.  At Buchan, we  provided  funding for a  portable
bathroom  and water  tank. At  Healesville, which is at a  great venue  off Chum
Creek Road, we provided funding for the outside rails  and  public  fencing.  At
Merton,  we  helped  with  the  clubhouse  redevelopment  and  at  Yea  with the
administration building refurbishment and outdoor seating.
We take racing very seriously. I am pleased to report that  the Office of Racing
Integrity and its commissioner has been immensely active.

This  was an initiative  of the Napthine coalition  government to improve racing
integrity in Victoria, and that office has been doing a wonderful job.
I know Ms Pennicuik is very  keen for me to talk about jumps  racing in addition
to all the other forms  of  racing.  The  government  believes that jumps racing
represents  a  very important  part  of the culture  and  heritage of  Victorian
thoroughbred  racing. It  also  provides  a  very  important  livelihood  for  a
significant number of jockeys, trainers,  stablehands  and  support staff. Jumps
racing  also delivers  very  real  economic benefit  to  a  number  of  regional
Victorian communities for increased tourism and associated economic  benefits to
local tourism for accommodation and trade.
Support for  jumps racing is tripartisan in  Victoria. On ABC radio on 3 May the
Victorian Leader of the Opposition,  Daniel 'Dan' Andrews said there was no need
to ban jumps racing in Victoria. He also said:

  That's never been our view, and our view hasn't changed.
Recently,  in a similar  fashion,  the South Australian  Labor government racing
minister stated:
  Jumps racing is an integral part of the racing industry ...
  ...
  ... I do not believe  jumps  racing  is cruel and I will  not  be  banning the
  sport.
The Labor government  in South Australia continues  to support jumps racing,  as
does the Leader of the Opposition here in Victoria.

The Victorian government is acutely aware of  the  need  to  continually work in
cooperation with Racing  Victoria and with all  industry participants to  ensure
that the safety and welfare of  jockeys and  horses is  paramount. Over the past
two years a number of  improvements  have  been  adopted  by the Victorian jumps
racing industry as part of its commitment to safe and  responsible  racing. This
includes  modification to the  design of jumps, improved schooling and trialling
requirements and stricter horse qualification standards.
Over the past  three  years, the Napthine  government  has provided funding  for
Racing Victoria to hold preseason safety and  welfare forums for all jockeys and
trainers. World-leading equine experts from Europe and  the United Kingdom  have
been  a  key  part  of  these  forums,  helping to enhance  rider  and  training
techniques, which in turn increases safety for all.

All entry funding -- $2 million over four years -- has been provided through the
Victorian government for these and other jumps racing initiatives and comes from
the unclaimed dividends pool I talked about earlier. What I mean by that is that
winning bets that have not been collected by punters go back into  the industry.
The funding does not come from taxes paid by Victorians.
The  racing  industry's commitment  to  safe  and  responsible  jumps  racing is
reflected  in the improvement  in  safety indicators over  the  past few  years,
including a reduction in  the number  of falls.  This is clear evidence that the
industry's greater emphasis  on safety is working. While this trend is positive,
both the 

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government  and industry,  as  well as participants,  are  committed to  further
improvements.
We  continue to grow our commitment to the safety of our greyhounds, our harness
racing  horses  and  our  thoroughbreds. Referring  to  our  commitment  to  the
Victorian racing  industry,  I use  as  an  example Pakenham's  new  $70 million
racecourse. A brand-new,  state-of-the-art $70  million  Pakenham racecourse  is
open for training. This is  the first thoroughbred racecourse licence awarded in
40 years. It is part of the Napthine government's $79.5 million Victorian Racing
Industry Fund, supporting jobs and building a better racing industry.
On  30 July  the Premier,  who is  also the  Minister for Racing,  presented the
Pakenham Racing Club with its new racecourse licence. It was a historic occasion
because it was, as  I said,  the first  time a  thoroughbred racecourse had been
awarded a new licence in 40 years.

It  was  a  very  exciting  day  for racing across Victoria, particularly in the
south-eastern  region  of  Melbourne. I  know  Mrs Peulich,  together  with  the
coalition  candidates  down  there,   is  a  very   strong  advocate  for  these
opportunities.
Across  the  south-east  of  Melbourne  and  Gippsland  the thoroughbred  racing
industry provides an annual benefit of more than $300 million to the economy and
supports more than 3500 full-time jobs. I have  no doubt  that the  new Pakenham
racecourse is already  adding  to those benefits.  The  chief executive  of  the
Pakenham  Racing  Club,  Michael  Hodge,  said  that  the   600-acre  racecourse
development offers  unique opportunities for employment, with commercial, retail
and  residential space. Those new  facilities are a critical  milestone for that
club, the trainers and of course for their employees.
The government continues to grow the budget for the racing industry.

As I outlined, we have supported a number of initiatives, including providing $1
million for  the  greyhound adoption program  and $2.26 million for  the Raceday
Attraction  program in partnership  with clubs. Racing  is  part of the  overall
excitement of Melbourne and the regions in  terms of the great entertainment and
great opportunities that are there for Victorians.
I will touch on an exciting program that is immediately ahead of us, and that is
what we are calling the 80 Days of Melbourne. From 9 to 22 January the 2015  AFC
Asian  Cup will be held here in Melbourne, attracting  people  from  across  the
globe for what  is  going to be an  exciting soccer season in Melbourne.  From 9
January to  8 February the Fashion World  of Jean Paul Gaultier  will  be at the
National Gallery of Victoria.
  Mr D. D. O'Brien -- Will you be there, Craig?


  Mr ONDARCHIE -- I will. The Australian Open tennis, the first leg of the grand
slam,  will run from 19  January  to 1 February  and  will use the great,  newly
refurbished Margaret Court Arena.  The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race will be
from 31 January to 1 February, and I  know those in the Bellarine  Peninsula and
Geelong are great fans of what is going to happen down there.
  Ms Pennicuik -- On  a point of order, Acting President, the petition is fairly
narrow in  scope:  it refers to jumps racing. In fact  it  does not refer to any
other  type  of  horseracing,  and  I  certainly did not mention other types  of
horseracing in my contribution. I am happy for that discussion to proceed, but I
think that when we  start talking  about soccer and tennis we are really getting
off the subject of the motion.
The ACTING  PRESIDENT (Ms Crozier) -- Order! Ms Pennicuik is correct in terms of
the motion she has put forward.

I ask Mr Ondarchie to get back to the motion in relation to jumps racing.

  Mr ONDARCHIE  -- In the manner of  Ms Pennicuik's comments to me,  I will just
remind members as we enter the Spring Racing Carnival -- a very exciting time --
that the  Melbourne Festival of Racing will be held on  21 February and 7 and 14
March.
I remind Ms Pennicuik that this government engaged an  internationally acclaimed
jockey coach to build  on  the  safety  measures  in  Victorian jumps racing. We
engaged  Steve Smith Eccles  from England, who conducted  six days of  intensive
jumps training  with jockeys and  trainers. A very successful  jumps jockey from
the  UK, Mr Smith Eccles  is sought across the  globe  as a consultant coach  to
jumps trainers and jockeys. This followed the work of British Olympic equestrian
coach Yogi  Breisner,  who conducted a  multiday workshop with  Victorian  jumps
jockeys in 2012.

Whilst we have seen a vast improvement in safety statistics in jumps racing over
the last couple  of  years,  as  the  Victorian  coalition government we are not
prepared  to rest on  our  laurels. The Victorian  coalition  government and the
racing  industry  are   absolutely  committed  to   delivering  ongoing   safety
enhancements  for  both jockeys and  horses. Indeed, conducting  an annual jumps
racing workshop to continually improve safety, welfare and participant skills is
a key component 

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of our $2 million package  to  support  and enhance jumps racing, including some
very important  safety  measures. Racing Victoria's jumps review panel chairman,
Rob Montgomery, said the workshop program would be even more competitive than in
previous years, and it  served as  a very  important launch  pad when we started
this  in  2013  season. The  six-day jumps  forum was  a key  component  of  our
commitment and  the  industry's  commitment to  safety  in jumps racing  and  to
ensuring that participants continue to refine their skills for the betterment of
the sport.
Mr  Smith  Eccles, who was  accompanied  by former  champion  jumps jockey Craig
Durden, conducted a number of sessions over a  six-day period  across a range of
locations  to  make  sure  that  we  catered  for  a  large  group  of  industry
participants. As well as  those workshops and indoor  arena sessions, they  also
presented schooling  sessions  before  jumps  trials  to  maximise the practical
application of the skills learnt.

They  watched  jumps  trials,  gave  feedback  to  the  riders  on their  riding
techniques and were  available to answer questions  from trainers in  regard  to
jumping ability and training  plans for their horses. This government is acutely
committed to  the  safety  and  wellbeing  of  our  horses,  our jockeys and the
participants involved in our racing codes. I take note of the motion.

  Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria) --  I am pleased to  make  a few comments on  Ms
Pennicuik's motion,  which  seeks  to  take  note  of  a  petition signed by 532
Victorians who would like the Minister for  Racing, who  also happens  to be the
Premier,  to  intervene  in the racing industry and in jumps racing. This motion
has been on the  notice paper for debate on Wednesdays for quite some  time now,
so I was wondering if I would get to have a go at it before the election.
At the  outset I  would say  that this  motion misconceives the structure of the
racing industry.

Racing is governed by an independent board, Racing Victoria Ltd (RVL), which was
registered in December 2001 as a public company limited by  guarantee  under the
Corporations Act 2001.
At  the time RVL was  established it assumed the  functions and responsibilities
that had previously  been  undertaken  by  the  Victoria Racing Club. This is an
independent board -- members are not appointed by  the  minister but are elected
by  participants  in  the industry -- and it has legislative  authority  to  run
racing under the Racing  Act  1958.  I  acknowledge  that  the Greens are asking
members to take note  of the petition rather than express a firm view one way or
the other on  its merit, but I suppose that by making comments on Ms Pennicuik's
motion we are in some way noting the views of the 532 petitioners.

The motion  is  hard to seriously contemplate unless the Greens are also arguing
for a complete  redesign of governance arrangements  for racing in Victoria, and
that is not a matter for the minister; it is a matter for the board. I wonder if
petitioners gave that point much consideration  when they put their names to the
petition.
It is also worth noting that the Greens motion would  fundamentally impact  on a
major economic and social event that occurs in my electorate of Western Victoria
Region  -- the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival. The May  Racing  Carnival  is  a
significant event in  Warrnambool. Its economic impact for the community  in and
around  Warrnambool is  estimated to  be in  the order of $20 million.  The most
contemporary figure I could find was a couple of years old. One might think that
the economic impact has increased if my own expenditure  in  Warrnambool  in May
this year is anything to go  by. I left it pretty late to book a room, and I had
to stay in accommodation well out of town.

I can  say with some confidence that for probably two months before the carnival
there was  not  a  room  available  for  booking in Warrnambool for the carnival
weekend.
If Ms Pennicuik is provided with an opportunity  to  reply  to  contributions on
this motion,  I invite  her to  outline  plans the  Greens have  for the  racing
industry and specifically for the Warrnambool event. Would they still want it to
be a three-day event? Would it be a two-day event or a one-day event? What would
their plans be for the public holiday  in  Warrnambool?  What support would they
propose for industry  transition? There are  many  questions that remain  to  be
answered, not  least of all in relation to the governance and  structure of  the
racing industry.
The Labor Party believes that this is a matter for RVL, but it acknowledges that
jumps racing has had some dark days.

No-one wants to  see injuries  or fatalities  in racing  and no-one wants to see
falls,  but over recent years the  number of  falls has  reduced in  response to
changes to barriers and changes to training. A number of years ago falls were at
an  unacceptable level. No-one wants  to see fatalities  or injuries to jockeys,
horses or participants, as happened a number of years ago.
The  impact  of falls, beyond their  impact  on  jockeys  and  horses,  is  also
significant  for  racing. They can  lead  to there being  fewer  entrants, lower
levels of wagering, smaller crowds and declining returns. It is incumbent on the
industry to work to overcome  the risks  in jumps racing. Like any industry, the
racing industry has to 

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respond to the concerns of those  who support it and it has to respond  to those
who do not support it -- that is, it must also respond to views of the community
more broadly.
As Mr Ondarchie indicated either in his  contribution this week or in the one he
made a month ago when we started this  debate that  the racing industry provides
tens of thousands of jobs for  people across Victoria. Most of these jobs are in
regional  Victoria. The Victorian thoroughbred racing  industry generates nearly
$2.1 billion  towards the Victorian  economy, and when employees, volunteers and
participants in thoroughbred,  harness  and  greyhound  racing are included, the
participant numbers are in the order of 70 000 people.
An  evaluation  undertaken  of the  impact  of racing on  the  Victorian economy
indicated that around 63 per cent of participants reside in regional Victoria.

Anybody who spends much time in regional Victoria would  not have to go terribly
far to find enthusiastic participants in racing. Last Friday evening I  had  the
pleasure  of attending the South West Trades and Labour Council annual dinner as
a guest speaker. I caught up with some  old friends and made some new ones.  One
of the first questions in the  question-and-answer session was around racing and
the importance of jumps racing. The importance of jumps racing and racing to the
community in Warrnambool cannot be overstated.
It is important to note that  the racing  industry is under great pressure. Like
many  industries, the racing  industry is making  the  transition to the  online
world. Online betting means that there are less returns because a lower share of
betting is occurring on the tote. This is an important stream of income for  the
racing industry. Mr Ondarchie, fashionista that he is -- and it is a shame he is
not here to hear me make that comment -- indicated that the racing industry also
supports tourism, retail and hospitality to an extraordinary degree.

As people  in  this  place turn their  minds  to  the issuing  of  the  writs on
Melbourne  Cup  Day,  I think  I  can confidently assert  that  the overwhelming
majority  of Victorians, perhaps  all Victorians except  those  who work in  and
around this  building, will be  either  turning their eyes  to  their television
screens  or, for  100 000  people, turning their eyes directly  to the  track at
Flemington  on Melbourne Cup Day. While the Victorian government is hell-bent on
denying kids in regional Victoria a decent education, a spot in a TAFE course or
a job, the premature demise of the racing industry  is  something  that Victoria
cannot afford.
I ask the Greens if it  is  jumps racing it seeks to end or  racing  altogether.
Greens members  often  take the  opportunity  to use  parliamentary   debates to
express  their disapproval of industries they do not like. It  is  worth  noting
that the Greens are  aggressively pursuing Mr  David  O'Brien's seat of  Western
Victoria Region. They make no secret of that.

They expend a great deal of time travelling the length and breadth of the region
I  represent promising all kinds of  things to all kinds of people. I invite the
Greens  to indicate  to  the  people  in  Ballarat,  Warrnambool, Coleraine  and
Casterton what plans they  have to compensate these communities if they attain a
position in which they are able  to force the hand of the government of  the day
in relation  to jumps  racing or to a wholesale restructure of the governance of
the racing industry. What plans do they have for  industry transition? What time
frame would they  put  in place for what is for them  an aspiration to end jumps
racing?  What  alternative  job  creation  measures  would  they put  in  place,
particularly for those in Warrnambool? What plans might they have for the iconic
May carnival and the $20 million boost to the economy it provides every year?
I  join with  other members  in noting  this petition  which was  signed by  532
Victorians.

I do note  the community's concerns about jumps  racing and I do note that there
are people in the community who would  like  to see an end to jumps  racing  and
racing  altogether.  But it is also important to note that in this  environment,
when regional Victorian economies are under considerable pressure and the racing
industry  in  Victoria is  under  considerable pressure  from  forces beyond the
control of a Victorian government, there are important competing interests to be
considered in  relation to  racing and  the jobs of  many tens  of thousands  of
people across  Victoria, including those in western Victoria, that  arise from a
robust and vibrant industry that  means  an  enormous  amount  to  a  great many
people.
I note  the petitioners and their view.  I also note the  concerns  of those who
work  in the  racing industry.  I note  the  enthusiasm for  racing not  only in
south-western Victoria but right across the state.

At this time  of the year even those  who pay scant regard to  racing year-round
get  caught  up in the  magic  of  our Spring Racing  Carnival.  It  is such  an
important  driver  of  jobs  and economic activity, and is so important  to  the
fashion, retail and hospitality  industries. I urge  the  Greens to outline  how
they  would manage the transition  and a wholesale restructure of the governance
of racing in Victoria.

  Mrs MILLAR (Northern Victoria) -- It  gives me  great pleasure  to speak on Ms
Pennicuik's take-note motion relating to jumps racing in Victoria. The coalition
government  believes  that jumps  racing  represents an  important  part of  the
culture and heritage 

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of Victorian thoroughbred racing, and I will speak to the heritage of the racing
industry.
But  in  starting  off  it  is  very important to  also  recognise  that  racing
generally,  which  includes  jumps racing  as  a  very small  component  of  the
industry, provides  a livelihood for a significant number of  jockeys, trainers,
stablehands and support  staff.  These jobs  are  principally based in  regional
Victoria. As Ms Pulford has just outlined, the racing industry has a presence in
western  Victoria, and  I would say the same for northern  Victoria, which  is a
very  significant  producer of  horses  for the racing  industry  and the equine
industry  more  generally. In this  place  I particularly  acknowledge  Mr David
O'Brien, a member for Western Victoria Region, who is a significant supporter of
jumps racing and racing  in western  Victoria. If  Mr O'Brien  does not have the
opportunity to  speak  on  this motion,  I  want his particular  dedication  and
support for the racing industry in Western Victoria Region noted.

Jumps  racing  delivers very real  economic  benefits to  a  number  of regional
Victorian communities. There  is also the benefit  of increased tourism and  its
associated  benefits for local  businesses. Local racing  carnivals are able  to
deliver great benefits, both social and economic, to the towns in which they are
based. The  retail industry, which  is  often struggling  in  regional Victoria,
receives these benefits  through increased tourism, as  do hotels, food  outlets
and other businesses. This is significant for regional communities.
I would like to note in starting that support for jumps racing is bipartisan  in
Victoria. As Ms Pulford noted in her  contribution, this is also the position of
the Victorian Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Daniel Andrews. On 3 May
2013 he said that Labor's view has never been to ban jumps racing, that there is
no need for a ban and this view has not changed.

It  is  also  very  important  to  note in  this context  that there  have  been
significant safety  improvements  made to  the  operation  of  jumps  racing  in
Victoria. There will not be a speaker speaking on the motion today  who will not
acknowledge their love of horses. None of  us like to see horses injured or hurt
in any way. Horses die  in both flats and jumps racing, and  this  is a tragedy.
The  answer to  this is  to  make  racing  safer  by  overcoming  the  risks and
increasing safety. This  is something towards  which  enormous steps  have  been
taken.
I also note  that  the  number of jumps  races  in  Victoria is  very  small  in
comparison to the overall number of race starts in any given year. Currently the
number of events in the season, which runs from March to September, is comprised
of  approximately 33 steeplechases and 12 hurdle events. Over the past two years
a  number of  improvements  have  been adopted  by  the Victorian  jumps  racing
industry as part of its commitment to safe and responsible racing.

Significantly this has included modifications to the  design of jumps,  improved
schooling   and  trialling   requirements,  and   stricter  horse  qualification
standards.
I say this because, as a lover of horses, I believe it is very important that we
do what we can to ensure the safety of those horses and their jockeys throughout
this industry. Of  course  I also note the  great  love of horses  held  by  our
Premier, who is also the Minister for Racing.  I must say that while my love  of
horses may be  great, it  can in  no way compete with the Premier's professional
knowledge, given his background as a veterinarian in the state  of Victoria. His
expertise and professional skills are significant in this space.
The Victorian government  has  provided funding over  the past three  years  for
Racing Victoria to hold  preseason safety and welfare forums for all jockeys and
trainers.

This is assisting with improving the overall safety of jumps racing in Victoria.
Significant increases in safety outcomes are being seen each year.
I would like to reflect on a steeplechasing event that I attended at the Bendigo
Jockey Club in July. It was the Mosstrooper Steeplechase, which is a very  large
event for the Bendigo Jockey Club and was well attended this year. At this event
I was speaking to a friend of  mine, Mr Jason Ronald, whose  grandfather was the
owner of  Mosstrooper.  Mosstrooper is  one  of the  most  famous steeplechasing
horses in  Victoria. He  was a  chestnut gelding  who lived from  1921 to  1945,
passing  away  at the age  of  25.  His history is  an  interesting  one. He was
destined to be sent to  India as an army horse, but shortly  before  this was to
happen he showed  great talent as a jumper  while he was rounding  up  cattle. I
want to make the point that many horses have a natural propensity for jumping.

Mosstrooper's  jumping   talent  was  spotted  while  he  was  undertaking  some
activities  on the  farm,  and  he  went  on  to  become  one  of  the  greatest
steeplechase horses in this state's history.
From 79 starts he had  11 wins. He won  the Grand National Steeplechase and  the
Grand National Hurdle, and  he earnt over  14 000 -- an enormous amount of stake
money  for his  time. The  epitaph on  his tomb read, 'Mosstrooper was  the best
horse ever'. He was a loved horse, and  this highlights  the significance of the
heritage of  the  Victorian  thoroughbred racing  industry.  In the  time  since
Mosstrooper raced, this has not changed. What have changed -- and we all welcome
this -- are the safety standards that are applied to jumps racing in Victoria.

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World-leading equine experts from Europe and the UK have taken part in forums in
Victoria to help  enhance rider and trainer  techniques, which in  turn increase
the safety  for all. I want to  point out that all funding  provided through the
Victorian government for these and other jumps racing initiatives, including the
redesign of  jumps fences  used in  hurdle racing in Victoria, is taken from the
unclaimed dividends pool. This funding has amounted to more than $2 million over
four  years. It  is not  taken from  taxes paid  by Victorians.  The  funds  are
specific  to racing. They are from the unclaimed  dividends  pool  --  that  is,
winning bets that have not been collected over time by the punters. I think this
is an  important  distinction  to  make  for those who have concerns about where
these funds come from.
The  racing  industry's commitment  to  safe  and  responsible  jumps  racing is
reflected  in the improvement  in  safety indicators over  the  past two  years,
including a reduction in the number of falls.

This is something that those in the racing  industry work  towards with  as much
dedication  as  anyone  in  the  state  of  Victoria. This is evidence that  the
industry's greater  emphasis on safety is working. While this trend is positive,
the  government,  the  industry  and  participants   are  committed  to  further
improvements. Such improvements are occurring and will continue to occur.
I would like  to  touch on how the racing industry is  an important part of this
state's economic development.  As a young graduate  from university I worked  at
KPMG in bloodstock accounting for roughly two-and-a-half years. My love of horse
racing  is not all about putting  on  a  pretty frock and hat and going  to  the
track.  My time  in  bloodstock accounting  made  me  aware of  the  significant
economic value this industry returns to the state. The racing industry is one of
this state's largest  employers, delivering great  economic value. Most  of that
value resides in regional Victoria.

As  a representative  of  regional  communities  I  emphasise  that it  is  very
important that  we recognise the value  of this industry  to  those communities.
There is an element of opposition to flats racing as well as jumps racing. These
opponents need to think carefully about the impact that any ban on racing  would
have  on  regional  communities. That does not for  one  moment  take  away  the
importance of focusing on the welfare of horses. This is and remains the aim  of
all Victorians, especially those who work in this great industry, many of whom I
have met and worked with.
We should also  note that the thoroughbred  racing industry is  responsible  for
breeding some of the world's finest racehorses. Dressage and  showjumping horses
are also bred in Victoria. This is an industry in which Victoria can truly claim
to lead the world.
  Mr Ondarchie -- Particularly in the Macedon area.


  Mrs  MILLAR  -- Particularly in  the  Macedon Ranges;  Mr  Ondarchie  is quite
correct. I thank him for that contribution. I also note the fine equine breeding
areas around Nagambie. It is always  my great  pleasure to visit those areas and
promote their world-leading  status as breeders  of racehorses and  horses  more
generally.
I  have concerns about those who represent themselves as enemies of  the  racing
industry more  generally. We have seen some of their activities in recent weeks,
and they would  cause  concern  for  many people in regional Victoria. In saying
that, this is a take-note  motion. We will not be opposing it. We will certainly
seek to acknowledge the concerns of the 532 people  who put their names to  this
petition. Having said that, I think it is very important to again emphasise  how
much is being done to improve the safety of jumps racing in Victoria, whether it
be in steeplechase or hurdles.

I  principally point to the redesign  of the hurdles that  are used and also the
training which is being undertaken at this time.
In so saying, I am  pleased to end my contribution here. I again acknowledge the
contributions of my other colleagues who may not have an opportunity to speak on
this motion today but who, like Mr David O'Brien,  I know are similarly keen  to
acknowledge our  support for the contribution  and benefits of  racing generally
and jumps racing  specifically. I  know the people who work in this industry are
committed to  the welfare of horses, as  are all the speakers on this motion. We
acknowledge the concerns of those who have  signed this petition, but those who,
like me, support racing and jumps racing in Victoria are working towards a safer
and better jumps industry  for all  horses and  participants in this state. I am
therefore pleased to take note of this motion.

  Mr D. R. J.  O'BRIEN  (Western Victoria) -- It  is with great pleasure that  I
make a contribution,  albeit brief,  on this  motion. I thank Mrs Millar for her
contribution,  which  covered many and more  of  the  matters  that  I  want  to
endeavour to cover, because of her extensive  knowledge of  the industry. I am a
big supporter of horseracing and  a  previous  owner  of racehorses, and that is
because I respect the views of my local  community. Western  Victoria has a long
tradition  of successful horseracing  in the Warrnambool  area. The Minister for
Racing, the Honourable Denis Napthine, the Premier, is a long-term supporter and
has acute knowledge of all aspects of the industry in his life 

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as a vet. In his administration of this important portfolio  he has shown he can
not only deliver the benefits to the state of this important  contributor to his
electorate of  South-West  Coast, but he  also supports our  breeders,  jockeys,
stablehands,  investors,  punters,  the  Victorians  who   love  the  thrill  of
horseracing, the fashion  industry, and the  excitement  of not only  the  major
festivals  for  which Melbourne  and  indeed  Victoria are  famous  but also the
smaller races, picnic race meetings and jump  races,  such  as the main carnival
and other important events that occur in his electorate.
Jumps racing is something this government is not ashamed to  support. Yes, there
have been issues and there are continual improvements to the welfare  of  horses
by the  racing industry,  but just  as we  respect local knowledge -- unlike the
Greens, who impose  their  views upon  farmers  without  local knowledge  --  we
respect the industry that can care for its horses, and we support  its continual
attempts to improve the safety of jumps racing.

Business interrupted pursuant to order of Council.