https://harnesslink.com/australia/vi...unch-petition/
Victorian harness racing representative bodies say the sector is in crisis and are urging participants and stakeholders to throw their weight behind a petition calling for intervention from the Racing Minister Anthony Carbines.
The key issues among the bodies’ worries, and outlined in the petition are:
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) recorded a loss of $6.7 million in 2023…after a loss of $4.1 million in 2022.
HRV received $28.1 million in State Government grant revenue in those two years.
In 2023, HRV had 103 full time employees costing $15.7 million…compared to HRNSW with 50 staff costing $7.1 million.
Employment costs at HRV have increased nearly 30 percent in the past two years.
Stakemoney in Victoria was cut by $3.9 million effective October 1, 2023…at the same time, WA, Qld, SA and NZ have all announced increases.
In 2022-23 the number of foals born in Victoria was down 13.3 percent on the previous year, and the number of mares served down 21.7 percent…in NSW foal numbers were up 1.2 percent and services up 1.3 percent.
