Queensland Government Unveils ‘The Next Lap’ Racing Plan

The Queensland Government has announced ‘The Next Lap’, a program and response to the independent Queensland Racing Review, committing a $200 million Racing Future Fund to secure the long-term economic, social, and integrity pillars of the state’s $2.5 billion racing industry.

The Next Lap, which flows over half of its benefits to regional communities and supports 14,500 jobs, guarantees financial stability and delivers a clear operational roadmap for Racing Queensland (RQ) and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC).

The commercial core of the plan is the establishment of the $200 million Future Fund, which will finance modern, fit-for-purpose infrastructure across all three codes.

Emphasising the opportunity on how this roadmap presents for industry participants, Minister for Sport and Racing, Tim Mander MP, said: “This is more than a moment of change; it’s a moment of opportunity.”

“With clear purpose, collaboration, and determination, Queensland racing can step confidently into a new era,” Mander said.

The plan also focuses on long-term sustainability by introducing a nation-leading lifetime traceability framework for animal welfare and a new framework to provide accredited qualifications for industry professionals.

Key beneficiaries of this investment include the upgrades to Eagle Farm (including a new grandstand), the development of Albion Park into a new Racing HQ (co-locating RQ and QRIC administration), and essential regional infrastructure at locations like Marburg Showgrounds and Bundaberg Greyhound Racetrack.

This investment, coupled with the commitment to maintain standard and feature prize money levels, is designed to combat interstate competition for wagering investment, despite the government’s highly controversial decision to reject recommendations to lower the Point of Consumption Tax (POCT) rate.

On another note, the plan addresses key operational bottlenecks. It introduces a streamlined governance model to improve efficiency between RQ and QRIC by transitioning QRIC’s non-core functions back to RQ.

Furthermore, the commitment to developing a coordinated South East Queensland Night Racing Schedule is a move to boost wagering turnover by attracting new audiences during high-demand viewing windows.

The organisation’s commitment to country racing, through infrastructure investment and the expansion of the recognisable Battle of the Bush series, ensures the plan’s economic benefits are spread widely.

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