MP breaks ranks on TAB sale
A Liberal backbencher has broken ranks to slam the potentially "devastating consequences" of the State Government's plan to sell the TAB, demanding an independent study of the economic impact of the decision.
Murray-Wellington MLA Murray Cowper claimed yesterday to have the backing of up to eight colleagues and said there was widespread state of confusion across the party because of the "shadow boxing" over issues such as the TAB's sale price and plans for the long-term funding of the industry.
He has called on Racing and Gaming Minister Colin Holt to commission the research because he believes the sale will have a huge negative impact, particularly in regional areas.
Belmont MLA Glenys Godfrey, whose electorate takes in Ascot racecourse and the surrounding area where many of the industry's leading city participants run their operations, has also been outspoken in her opposition to the sale of the TAB.
Mr Cowper said the full measure of damage had to be identified before the Government "sold the goose laying the golden eggs".
He said the TAB had provided a "unique stability" to the industry since being introduced by the Brand government in 1961, replacing 206 licensed off-course bookmakers.
"We therefore need to know the real cost and likely disadvantages of disposing of a business that has successfully underwritten an entire industry for more than 50 years, as well as generating hundreds of millions of dollars for its owners - the taxpayers of WA," Mr Cowper said.
"The State Government must now determine if it is prepared to sacrifice TAB-funded standards that are the envy of other Australian States by bowing to a Federal directive to sell the TAB."
Mr Cowper accused Mr Holt and his Nationals WA colleagues of shifting stance to support the sale of the TAB, while also warning that his Liberal counterparts in South Australia had claimed that selling off that State's TAB had destroyed country racing and seriously eroded the breeding and training industries.
Racing and Wagering WA's new racing general manager John Yovich made a call at the weekend for the Government to consider the financial benefits of allowing the TAB to better compete with corporate bookmakers before progressing any sale.
RWWA last week announced a record distribution of $136 million to the industry from TAB profits, with a further $50 million going to the State Government in taxes.
Mr Holt would not be drawn on the review but said a thorough sale process would address Mr Cowper's concerns.
