HORSERACING

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:50): Can the minister brief the house on whether there are any facilities for both training and racing regarding jumps racing, and would she give her views on jumps racing and its importance to regional racecourses in South Australia?

The PRESIDENT: You are asking the minister for an opinion. The minister will disregard that, but she can answer the rest of the question.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (14:51): I am not too sure exactly what the nub of the question was; it was a bit rambling.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Yes, as most of his questions are. The Rann government has always maintained that jumps racing is an important facet of racing in South Australia. South Australia and Victoria are the only two jurisdictions which still conduct jumps racing, and both jurisdictions work very closely with each other to ensure the best possible safety outcomes are provided, not just for horses but also for jockeys.

I remind the council that the Liberal government corporatised the SA racing industry back in 2001. The effect of that was to remove any government interference in the day-to-day administration of the racing industry, including the programming of flat and jumps racing events. So, it was, in fact, a decision made by the previous Liberal government which means that the government of the day is not able to interfere in those specific decisions.

Thoroughbred Racing SA has a very clear responsibility to ensure that the environment is as safe as possible for both horses and jockeys. Any future decision about jumps racing in South Australia rests with Thoroughbred Racing South Australia, because, as I said, the former Liberal government made changes which ensured that the government of the day was not able to interfere in these matters.