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MEDIA RELEASE: Frances Nelson steps down from national role to focus on fighting SA’s unfair tax

Thoroughbred Racing SA Chair Frances Nelson QC has announced her decision to step down as the Chair of Racing Australia in order to focus on fighting South Australia’s 15% Point of Consumption tax.

Ms Nelson was the first South Australian to be elected Chair of Racing Australia, which represents Australia’s eight principal racing authorities. She served as acting Chair throughout 2016 before taking on the official role the following year.

Ms Nelson said it had been a difficult decision.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time and it has been a great privilege to have been able to champion the interests of South Australian racing in this position,” she said.

“However, the enormous harm being caused the State Government’s unfair tax has reached a critical point. 

“At 15%, not only is our Point of Consumption tax rate the equal highest in Australia but we are also the only jurisdiction where none of the money collected by the State Government through the tax is reinvested back into the industry.

“It’s a situation that has already had a crushing effect on revenues which, in turn, has flowed on to reduced prizemoney levels – and prizemoney pays the wages of everyone in our industry.

“We are requesting that Treasurer Rob Lucas reduce our point of consumption tax to a level in line with the other States and to reinvest the money back into the industry – as happens everywhere else – so that we can get back to growing thoroughbred racing as we had been before the tax was forced upon us.

“There has never been a more important time for South Australia’s racing community to be working together to argue the case for a level playing field.”

Ms Nelson will continue as a Director of Racing Australia.

Media enquiries: Phil Martin, Michels Warren on 0418 817 876

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