Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) applauds the Federal Government on its decision today that it would not seek a levy from the racing industry to repay its share of the eradication of the 2007 equine influenza (EI) outbreak.
Over $342 million was spent by the Federal Government eradicating the disease and in financial assistance to individuals, organisations and businesses, primarily in Queensland and New South Wales.
The Australian equine industry's share of funding for the recovery would have amounted to $108 million, repayable to the Federal Government over the next 10 years.
“This decision is most welcomed to Western Australia racing industry" RWWA CEO Richard Burt said. “The Western Australia racing industry's share of the $108 million would have amounted up to $4 million dollars if repayment was sought".
“The Federal Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, Mr Tony Burke is to be congratulated on his approach to this crisis by listening to the various horse industry sectors", Mr Burt added.
RWWA and the Western Australian racing industry was represented by the Australian Racing Board, Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, Aushorse and Harness Racing Australia, which had been engaged in representations to the Federal Minister since the announcement of the Callinan Inquiry.
Whilst not suffering the direct consequences of EI in this State, the outbreak's impact on the Western Australian racing industry through loss of wagering turnover, delivered estimated losses of $80 million in wagering turnover or $5.6 million in distributable profit to the Western Australian racing industry.
The Equine Influenza outbreak on 25 August 2007 brought racing to a complete standstill throughout Australia, which in Western Australia, saw racing cease for almost a week.
Metropolitan horse racing in both Queensland and New South Wales did not resume until December, and only then on a marginal scale.
EI has had a serious economic and social effect on many Australians linked to the equine codes and therefore this news to not seek retrospective legislation recovery of the costs will be appreciated by all sectors of the racing industry.
