End In Sight: Tassie Racing To Return June 13

Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein announced on Friday afternoon that all three codes of racing in the state  will resume from Saturday June 13.

TASMANIAN premier Peter Gutwein has announced that racing will resume in the state from Saturday June 13.

On Thursday April 1, the premier sent the racing industry into a tailspin when declaring that all three codes of racing would be suspended in the state as a response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Since then Tasracing, in conjunction with representatives from each of the three racing codes, have worked tirelessly in their efforts to demonstrate to government that racing can resume under the strict biosecurity protocols successfully adopted on the mainland.

"Racing, which I know has concerned a lot of people in the industry, will be able to return (on June 13) subject to the review and risk assessment by public health in regard to their plan," said premier Gutwein.

"Can I say, I know it's been tough for the racing industry and I appreciate their very strong advocacy. Racing does provide a significant economic benefit to the state but also provides employment for a lot of people and that's why we put together a strong package of support.”

It's understood that Tasmanian racing will resume under the regional racing model which has proven to be successful in other states, most notably New South Wales and Queensland.

"I would make the point that one of the key determinations with racing stopping in Tasmania was the fact that we bring people from regional areas to central locations and then back to their regions," the premier added.

"I know the racing industry is working very hard to return and I'm confident that public health officials are giving it the attention it requires."

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