The hapless Minister for
Racing, Jane Howlett, has finally confirmed that no additional support was
provided to the racing industry, despite the Government’s decision to shut down
the industry for months.
Tasmania was the only State
in the country to shut down racing completely in response to COVID-19.
Labor Shadow Minister for
Racing, David O’Byrne, said the Liberals had repeatedly claimed to have
delivered a multi-million dollar support package to the industry.
“Jane Howlett finally
confirmed in Budget Estimates hearings today that this was not new money, it
came from TasRacing’s existing budget,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“The Budget papers left the
Minister with nowhere to hide.
“Not a single cent of
additional support has been provided to the racing industry, despite the
devastating impact of the shutdown.
“It was always a cruel hoax
to claim the Government was supporting the industry during the shutdown, and
today that hoax has been exposed.”
David O’Byrne, MP
Shadow Minister for Racing