weekly hansard - Queensland Parliament - Queensland Government

2602 Racing Venues Development Amendment Bill 23 Aug 2005
would be able to continue with their previous activities following the reconstitution of the trust under the
act. However, concerns have been raised that the wording of the legislation could be read restrictively
thus inhibiting the activities of the trust. This amendment will remove any doubt regarding the trustees,
uses of the land following its transfer pursuant to the act.
The amendment gives the Governor in Council a broad discretion to approve the use of land for a
variety of purposes, including purposes not directly connected with racing, to maximise the benefits from
the large amount of capital tied up in the venue, both for racegoers and for the community as a whole.
This would include events like the Big Day Out. I think they also have caravan shows there and suchlike.
The Parklands Gold Coast venue is a great entertainment facility which is capable of staging
large events, as I have mentioned. The trustees have successfully managed the venue for the benefit of
the community and it is essential that they continue to do so. This bill will enable them to carry out their
responsibilities under the act. I commend the bill to the House.
Mr MESSENGER (Burnett—NPA) (3.57 pm): Talking to the Racing Venues Development
Amendment Bill 2005 gives me an opportunity to examine legislation which affects the third-largest
employer in regional Queensland. The legislation before this place, as pointed out last year by the
member for Toowoomba South, Mr Horan, is pertinent and important to all rural and regional
communities that rely on race meetings for fundraising for their schools, hospitals and local charities. It
is legislation which affects an industry which is still trying to come to grips with the loss of approximately
200 meetings from our state’s annual racing calendar.
Mr SPEAKER: Can I refer the member for Burnett to the actual bill itself. What you are saying is
not really relevant to the bill. Please come back to the bill. Thank you.
Mr MESSENGER: The objective of this bill is to give the Governor in Council, as we have heard,
a broader discretion to approve the use of land by trustees appointed under the act for any purposes
including purposes that are not directly connected with racing.
It has come to my attention that many race clubs in my area are looking to use racing land for
other purposes—for example, camel racing. This is so that they can resume their races and social days.
It is that issue that I would like to speak to in this debate. Probably the best race meeting I have ever
been to is the Mount Perry Race Club meeting. I know that that race track is in the member for Callide’s
electorate.
Mr SPEAKER: The member for Burnett, I have ruled that you have to address your remarks to
the bill. Please make your comments relevant to the bill.
Mr MESSENGER: As I have pointed out, the objective of this bill will allow trustees appointed by
the act to use land for any purposes, including for purposes that are not directly connected with racing. It
is to this that I wish to speak. I would like to direct my comments to the Mount Perry racing authority,
which has had a tradition of racing in Mount Perry for at least 100 years.
Mr SPEAKER: The member for Burnett, for the third time this is about Parklands at the Gold
Coast. It has nothing at all to do with other country race meetings. This is your last warning. Make your
comments relevant to the legislation.
Mr MESSENGER: It was my understanding that this legislation would and could affect country
racing.
Mr SPEAKER: I am afraid you are wrong. Do you want to continue?
Mr MESSENGER: In light of being told that my remarks are not relevant to this legislation, I will
not continue.
Mr POOLE (Gaven—ALP) (4.01 pm): I rise to speak in the debate on the Racing Venues
Development Amendment Bill before this House. The only purpose of this bill is to remove an anomaly
that possibly could have dire consequences if not amended. Presently the act allows the trustees of the
Gold Coast Parklands Trust to use the grounds for the sole purpose of racing. This amendment relates
only to the Parklands Gold Coast Trust and to no other venue.
The trust was established way back in 1994 under the Land Act and was subject to a deed of
grant in trust for the purpose of greyhound and harness racing and, of course, a showground. As time
has shown, having only these attractions could not possibly be viable and other operations needed to be
sourced. Where Parklands is located makes it a suitable venue for a host of activities and attractions,
including the Gold Coast’s famous Big Day Out, which attracts live bands and singers from all parts of
the world, including, I believe, Coldplay. Chris Martin actually performed there.
All these other non-racing activities bring in more than 70 per cent of the total operating income
which in turn then subsidises racing operations at Parklands. Without this amendment it would actually
leave the trustees without the power to authorise events other than racing or showground activities. I
support this amendment to the bill.
Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—NPA) (4.03 pm): The Racing Venues Development
Amendment Bill 2005 is an important bill for Parklands. There are some principles involved which apply
to a number of showgrounds and racing venues around the state. Parklands was developed at a time
when the Gold Coast Show Society had to look for another site and harness and greyhound racing were