Tasmania's racing industry is reacting with dismay to the Liberal Party's abandonment of the North-West Coast, while Minister Jane Howlett has gone into hiding. 

“Devastated”, “gutted” and “appalled” are the words used by people involved with North-West racing today.

Jane Howlett has gone to ground and is not talking to anyone about her decision to effectively end two codes of racing in the North-West and send industry employees to the dole queue.

Jane Howlett promised harness racing and greyhound racing stakeholders they would have a future when the Liberal Government decided to stop racing at the Devonport Showgrounds. But, after years of silence and what turned out to be lies, the Liberals have shut down racing on the Coast. 

The assurances given by the Liberals to the racing industry have been proven worthless. It is a betrayal of loyal, dedicated racing people, their families, communities and everyone who supports Tasmanian racing. 

The pain of seeing their industry left in tatters - and the fear of inevitable job losses - will only be made worse by the complete absence of the Minister who made the decision.

Luke Edmunds MLC  
Shadow Minister for Racing