Question Time

Racing Industry

Mr ELLIS (Narungga) (15:06): My question is to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. Can the minister update the house on the Marshall Liberal government's effort to revive the racing industry?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:06): It is with great pleasure that we can turn our attention to delivering jobs for South Australia, and that's what we are about here: investing in industries that will grow jobs in our state. Those opposite didn't care for the racing industry when they were in government—they were disinterested—but we are very passionate about this industry because we know it employs lots of people. It generates $400 million in economic benefits for South Australia.

The activities of the racing industry sustain employment for more than 3,600 South Australians. South Australia's racing industry generates $303 million in direct expenditure per annum. Over 40 per cent of that expenditure occurs in the regional areas, which we very much support. The South Australian racing industry engages more than 1,240 volunteers and assists 160 charitable organisations—an industry that gives back to our community.

As part of the 2019 state budget, our government put $24 million over five years into supporting the racing industry to grow jobs. Those on that side just wanted to tax the racing industry. We are reinvesting in this industry. We are reinvesting in this industry to grow jobs.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: They don't want to hear about it, but we are reinvesting in this industry. We are delivering for this industry, and the more we talk about jobs the more noise they make. They don't like it, but in these tough times it's great to be supporting the racing industry.

I'm proud to say that our government has been working hard to put the building blocks in place for a sustainable, thriving racing industry. We are investing in projects that drive jobs, improve services and lower costs for all those involved. Some of the projects include on-course stabling at Morphettville to attract more horses and more trainers, an uphill sandtrack at Murray Bridge, an equine pool at Gawler, the racing surface refurbishment at Port Augusta—a wonderful track and a beautiful tourist attraction up there—a function centre and kitchen at Oakbank and a club complex refurbishment at Clare. This is a sign of what we are delivering for South Australia.

In fact, I was up at Gawler where we opened the equine pool just recently and it provides for rehab, for treatment and for recovery of horses. It's fantastic that this does help the Gawler and Barossa Jockey Club, but it also helps the entire community. Already, people have come across looking to ask how they can utilise this facility—be they vets, be they people in the local community who have horses in their local area—and this pool is a great facility and great for the equine industry. It's a massive boon for local trainers and will help to grow jobs in that community.

Our support goes beyond the thoroughbred racing industry and it goes to harness as well. Our investments there have brought on race day horse, vet and swabbing stalls at Gawler, a race caller and officials' tower also at Gawler, amateur drivers' initiative and on-course trainer stabling at the complex in Victor Harbor.

Ms Hildyard interjecting:

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: The member for Reynell doesn't like it. She is prattling away, but we are delivering for the racing industry. We put $24 million in: they did nothing.

The greyhound racing industry as well are kickstarting projects and we are delivering infrastructure and delivering jobs, but they keep making noise. They don't want to know about it, but on this side we are very happy to be supporting the racing industry: day and overnight kennels for the use of the Greyhound Adoption Program, stage 1 of the Angle Park track redevelopment, construction of a new veterinary clinic at Angle Park, a new slipping track at Murray Bridge, the creation of a dedicated Greyhound Adoption Program assessment area at Murray Bridge as well, not to mention we brought a new equine welfare officer into the thoroughbred racing industry. We are supporting the industry here, growing jobs and they just want to shut it down.