MPs pledge support for racing industry

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia on Monday presented to politicians in Canberra with bipartisan support offered for the industry in Australia.

More than 40 MPs and Senators from varying sides joined industry leaders at Parliament House for the event that was co-hosted by TBA and the Parliamentary Friends of Primary Producers in what was the first gathering of its kind since the start of Covid.

“Events like this are so important for the thoroughbred industry,” TBA chief executive Tom Reilly said.

“In breeding and racing we have lots of touch points with the federal government and these can throw up some complex issues to deal with.

“To have the people who make decisions on policy in the room and listening and engaging with people from breeding and racing is a great opportunity.

“I was delighted with the turn-out of over 40 politicians including senior members of the government and opposition.”

The gathering emphasised the racing and breeding industry’s importance to not only the economy but also the role it plays within communities in both regional and metropolitan areas.

More than 80,000 people are employed in the thoroughbred industry in Australia with 11,500 a part of the breeding industry.

Agriculture Minister, Murray Watt, reaffirmed the government’s support of the thoroughbred industry and its assistance with issues such as biosecurity, horse traceability and equine welfare initiatives.

“It is a really important opportunity for us all to celebrate this important industry and I guess I just want to convey to you the support from the Albanese government for your industry,” Mr Watt said.

“There’s a lot of collaboration going on between our government here and the industry and I look forward to continuing to do that in the future.”

Nationals Leader, David Littleproud, backed up Mr Watt’s bipartisan approach to the thoroughbred industry.

“To each and every one of you, please don’t underestimate the role and the significance that you play in regional and rural Australia, and that you play for this nation,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The thoroughbred industry is so important from the city to the bush. It plays not just a financial one and an economic one in jobs, but it’s our outlet, an outlet for so many Australians to come together.”

Antony Thompson from Widden Stud, which has farms in New South Wales and Victoria, was pleased that politicians are understanding the importance of the thoroughbred industry in Australia.

“It’s so important that the thoroughbred industry is getting its voice heard in Canberra and I’m grateful that TBA has taken the lead in this space,” Thompson said.

“There was a lot of support for breeding and racing among those that attended and it’s crucial we now work with those politicians to deal with the challenges the industry faces.”