This time It's Motor Racing that's facing the chop by the ALP
Even in Tourism ALP fail !
The Courier-Mail understands the State Government is trying to steal the two marquee events for a cut-price $20 million — at least $5 million below Supercars’ asking price.
The bombshell comes just a week before the biggest event in North Queensland — the Townsville 600
Supercars could quit Queensland
JAMES PHELPS, The Courier-Mail
June 25, 2016 12:00am
Subscriber exclusive
SUPERCARS could quit Queensland at the end of this year with the sport considering walking out on the state should the government fail to offer them a new deal for both the Townsville 400 and the Gold Coast 600 by the end of next week.
Uncontracted to race at both Townsville and the Gold Coast from next year — and with the future of the Ipswich SuperSprint in doubt — Queensland are facing the prospect of a V8 blackout.
In a further blow for the Sunshine State, the sport could also uproot its head office from the Gold Coast and move to Sydney in a drastic measure likely to be followed by all the Queensland-based Supercar teams.
The Courier-Mail understands the State Government is trying to steal the two marquee events for a cut-price $20 million — at least $5 million below Supercars’ asking price.
The bombshell comes just a week before the biggest event in North Queensland — the Townsville 600 — begins, with practice to begin on Friday at the Reid Park street circuit. More than 447 fulltime jobs would be lost to the state should Supercars stand firm on their figure.
Queensland would also lose an estimated $90 million a year in economic stimulus, 218,000 visitors and 1500 part-time jobs unless a new five-year deal is struck.
Supercars officials were remaining tight lipped when contacted last night.
“We have been proactive in negotiations and we put forward a five-year proposal to continue at both Townsville and on the Gold Coast back in February of 2015,” Supercars CEO James Warburton said. “We are expecting to conclude negotiations by the end of the month.”
Both Supercars and the State Government have said a decision will be made on the future of the event by Thursday.
The current three-year deal for the Surfers Paradise event — one of Australia’s iconic sporting weekends — will end on October 23 after what could be the last race on the Gold Coast.
A Queensland Government official said they are hopeful of coming to a new deal with Supercars for both events.
“An offer has been made,” an official said.
“And it is only marginally below the previous deal.
“We are hopeful of coming to a resolution but talks are ongoing.”
It is understood Supercars drastically revised their asking price following the $20 million Queensland offer — but still want about $5 million more.
The State Government is hoping Supercars will consider the effect that quitting Queensland would have on both their current and future deals with broadcasters and sponsors.
G64
This makes a lie of the Qld Governments comments last week where they were going to encourage businesses to come to Queensland with all kinds of bonuses on offer. Once again we are being screwed by a Labor/Union Government.
