Qld: Beattie tells racing industry to stop infighting

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Qld: Beattie tells racing industry to stop infighting

By Nadine Rofail

BRISBANE, April 13 AAP - Queensland's thoroughbred racing industry must stop infightingand get on with the job, Premier Peter Beattie said today.

Mr Beattie said the decision of the Australian Racing Board to admit the new QueenslandThoroughbred Racing Board (QTRB) was a good wake-up call for the local industry.

"Thoroughbred racing is worth $700 million to Queensland's economy every year and employs24,000 Queenslanders," he said.

"The industry is at a crossroads - it is time to put personal differences and vendettasaside and look to the future."

The five-member QTRB replaced the Queensland Principle Club, which Racing MinisterMerri Rose sacked last year claiming it was riddled with conflicts of interest.

But industry representatives claimed the appointment of new board chairman Robert Bentleywas flawed despite Ms Rose's assurances the panel which selected him was independent.

Critics claimed an original three-person selection panel chose a different chairmanwho then stood aside, and instead of reconvening the panel Ms Rose called for a new selectiongroup consisting of two industry representatives and one government appointee.

The ARB yesterday said it was sure due process had been followed in the appointmentof Mr Bentley.

"The ARB has scuttled allegations of political interference in the board's appointmentand admitted the QTRB as a member," Mr Beattie said.

"That should be the end of the matter.

"The industry needs real action and people are looking to the board to deliver."

AAP nr/gm/cdh

KEYWORD: RACING QLD