MEDIA RELEASE, June 2, 2000

Minister To Set Up Three Racing Taskforces

Racing Minister Annette King says she will set up three racing taskforces by mid-June to look at industry funding, administration and development.

Mrs King made the decision at the end of yesterday's community racing forum attended by almost 100 delegates from community racing clubs and organisations.

"Two common themes emerged from the forum," she said. "The first is that there is a widespread perception that the industry is in a crisis. The second is that there are many people in the industry who care deeply about it and want it to survive.

"I can't fix racing's problems. The industry must do that itself with all sections of it working together. There are plenty of people with ideas, and the taskforces will provide an opportunity to work on those ideas."

Mrs King said it was important to maintain the momentum from yesterday's forum. "I will have the taskforces set up in the next two to three weeks, and I want them to report back to me no later than mid-August. I will be appointing the members, not seeking nominations, because there is a tight timeframe."

Each taskforce will have 10 members, representatives from A, B, C and D graded clubs, a greyhound venue, the three racing codes, the Racing Industry Board and an independent chairman.

Mrs King said one of the taskforces would be based in the northern region, one in the central districts and the third in the South Island.

ENDS

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