CORONAVIRUS —
RACING AND WAGERING WESTERN AUSTRALIA
336. Hon COLIN HOLT to the minister representing the
Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I refer to the dramatic drop in
revenue for Racing and Wagering Western Australia and the announcement that it
will be using cash reserves to support the industry.
(1) Will the
government develop a specific compensation or stimulus package for the
industry; and, if so, what will this package be?
(2) What will be the financial support for those race
clubs that have had to cancel race meetings or entire seasons?
(3) Has RWWA
reduced staffing levels or taken reduced remuneration; and, if so, please
provide details on how much reduction has occurred and where?
(4) Will the
government reconsider its take from the sale of the WA TAB and return more of
the proceeds to the industry?
(5) When was
Tabcorp announced as the preferred bidder for the WA TAB? If that has not
occurred, can the minister explain what the CEO of RWWA meant when he was
quoted in The West Australian of 30 March as saying in regard to the
sale, ''It's not a priority for us and Tabcorp at the moment''?
Hon
DARREN WEST replied:
On behalf of the Minister for
Regional Development, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question. The following information has been provided to me by the Minister for
Racing and Gaming.
(1)–(2) The
McGowan government is in frequent contact with Racing and Wagering Western Australia
regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the WA racing industry. RWWA is undertaking
analysis of club financials to determine what financial assistance may be
required by clubs. At present, clubs are receiving their full RWWA funding
where they are undertaking racing.
(3) Yes. RWWA has
stood down an initial number of staff and contractors while racing is
continuing. RWWA is in the process of informing impacted staff, which I believe
will be finalised by Friday, 3 April. If racing is suspended, further changes
will be required.
(4) The apportionment
of sale proceeds will occur as per section 26 of the TAB (Disposal) Act 2019.
(5) Tabcorp has
not been announced as the preferred bidder in the WA TAB sale process. The RWWA
CEO explained to a journalist that the sale process was not a priority due to
the COVID-19 pandemic. The significant challenges created by the pandemic
require a dedicated focus, with the WA TAB sale expected to be progressed once
COVID-19 has been addressed.