In an effort to stymie what would surely be the end of both Harness Racing and Greyhound Racing in South East Queensland (the biggest population growth centre in the country), billionaire mining tycoon and harness racing devotee Clive Palmer has put his 5c worth into the debate and he makes a lot of sense. Could probably use better phrasing than 5c worth when talking about Clive actually!!
Clive's views can be read here:
http://www.brisbanebusinessnews.com.au/article940/PALMER%20WANTS%20BOB%20BENTLEY%20REINED%20IN.html
In short, Racing Queensland have set in place all these wonderful plans for the betterment of the thoroughbred industry but its all at the cost of the other two codes. It isn't too surprising really when you consider that the RQ board is comprised of 6 members (4 thoroughbred, 1 harness, 1 greyhound) so any thoroughbred proposal is going to get the green light unless the Government vetoes it.
The State Government has already reclaimed the land that the Gold Coast Harness track is built on to build a new hospital so it is closing within a couple of years so the decision to sell Albion Park would be an unmitigated disaster for the code. The Gold Coast decision is a strange one, the place is booming and plays host to 4 national sporting teams (AFL, NRL, NBL, A League) which not many cities can claim plus it undoubtedly hosted the most successful InterDominion carnival in recent history yet it is going with little fanfare and no plans at all to relocate within the region.
Nobody wants to go to Deagon or Ipswich but Mr Bentley and his cronies can't see past their own backyard with their narcissistic views
