E-Petition

The petition of Queensland citizens draws to the attention of the House
that the Government’s cut back in race meetings throughout regional
Queensland will be detrimental to the community’s social and financial
fabric.

Regional communities have relied on race meetings to produce financial
support for schools and charity groups where funding is either
unavailable or inadequate.

Trainers, owners, managers, strappers, jockeys and others associated with
the industry will be forced to reassess their position and may relocate
or resign, therefore affecting employment opportunities, population
numbers and the supporting business’s livelihoods.

Race meetings are also an essential part of the social fabric in
regional, rural and isolated areas, in some cases being the only major
annual event. By withdrawing these race meetings, the Government has not
only created financial restraints upon the communities, but also
increased social fragmentation of which the ramifications will be
irreversible.

Your petitioners therefore request the House to reassess the
discriminatory cut backs and reinstate all race meetings, and ensure
prize money will sustain racing in rural, regional and remote areas.