MEDIA RELEASE, April 20, 2000

Racing Field Heads To Parliament

Racing Minister Annette King said today she was preparing to meet a "goodwill army" from community racing clubs in Parliament on June 1.

She said 78 delegates, representing 20,000 community racing club members, had accepted her invitation to attend the Community Racing Forum at Parliament.

Mrs King announced the forum on February 18, saying it would allow clubs that race at category D venues and related groups the opportunity to express their concerns, and to discuss a strategic direction for the future.

"I'm pleased at the enthusiastic response, but I'm not at all surprised. The racing industry is blessed with a large number of committed stakeholders."

Mrs King said she was particularly delighted at the preparations the clubs were making for the forum. "Clubs have arranged pre-forum meetings to discuss the issues and to take a collective approach. This is surely a good start toward the industry working together to solve problems and advance new ideas.”

Clubs were submitting items for the June 1 agenda, she said. "The closing day for agenda items will be April 28, and the final agenda and list of delegates will be available by May 12.

"A united and strong racing industry has enormous potential for New Zealand. My hope is that the community forum will be an important step in enhancing that potential.

"I don't agree with some commentators who say racing is a sunset industry. Racing has a good future. It's time everyone in the industry got under the starter's orders."

ENDS

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