Passing through the Racing Amendment Bill is at the top of both National and Labour’s agenda when it comes to the racing portfolio heading into the 2017 election.
The Bill, which has already passed its first reading, would allow the New Zealand Racing Board to take a share from overseas internet betting providers operating in New Zealand and also introducing an information use charge. This would be imposed on offshore betting operators taking bets on New Zealand racing or sporting events.
The National Party have released a four-point racing policy, while Labour have released a nine-point racing manifesto.
National’s other points revolve around promoting New Zealand’s racing industry to Australian and Asian markets and encouraging the racing industry to invest in modern infrastructure and deliver new products.
Meanwhile, Labour’s manifesto focuses on upholding the integrity of the industry and working with the industry to increase training and educational opportunities as well as attracting new owners and breeders to the industry.
National Party four-point plan:
- Promoting our racing industry globally to leverage the value offered by the large Australian market and growing market in Asia
- Passing the Racing Amendment Bill with cross party support, providing another valuable revenue stream for the industry
- Maintaining the best economic environment possible for owners, investors, and the wider industry
- Starting a conversation on the development of sector infrastructure changes, including the development of an intermediated stake funding tier.
Labour Party racing manifesto:
- Pass legislation to stop betting websites that are based offshore avoiding tax in New Zealand and denying revenue to the New Zealand racing industry.
- Act against the leakage from revenue by strengthening gambling legislation that will ensure NZR and the TAB are not disadvantaged by overseas bookies and agencies which are currently accepting bets without tax or industry levies.
- Ensure the robustness of the Integrity Unit, meaning that those appointed to it are of the highest calibre, in order to maintain the integrity of the unit and the industry
- Assist in establishing a Code of Practice for the racing industry, which will be drawn up and agreed upon by all major stakeholders and will link with the current set-up of the Integrity Unit
- Work with the New Zealand Racing Board, the racing code bodies, governments and international racing bodies to ensure that New Zealand is well-placed to respond to any threats to racing’s revenue and integrity
- Uphold the position of the New Zealand Racing Board to hold the exclusive rights to racing and sports betting in New Zealand, and for the net proceeds to be returned to sustain New Zealand racing
- Work with the industry to reduce injuries to jockeys, dogs and horses, promote safe practices and provide safe amenities.
- Support appropriate biosecurity measures to protect the racing industry in all its activities.
- Work with the racing sector to further its industry training and education goals and to attract new owners and breeders into the industry.