Thursday, 2 April 2026

 Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Community Safety, Minister for Victims, Minister for Racing) (14:14): I rise to update the house on the economic contribution that our Victorian racing industry continues to make to the state. Last week I had the opportunity to welcome to Melbourne the International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians – 300 delegates from around the world – an important conference gathering of international experts on veterinary and anti-doping science and practices and racing integrity led by Victoria’s world-leading laboratory Racing Analytical Services. Race vetting is a very important matter, as the member for Greenvale would know. Certainly those opposite might benefit from some more thorough vetting processes; they might just have a few less late scratchings. Can I also thank the chair and the CEO of RASL, as it is known, Maryjane Crabtree and David Batty. It was an outstanding conference.

I was also fortunate to be at Flemington on Saturday for the thrilling conclusion to the Festival of Racing with the time-honoured Australian Cup. We saw Light Infantry Man and Pride of Jenni neck and neck up the Flemington straight – one of the all-time great Australian turf finishes, with Light Infantry Man prevailing. Unlike another big race over the weekend, the result of this one was not overturned the following morning. Not that anyone wanted a photo; nobody was smiling for the cameras. We also saw the unveiling of a new statue for trailblazing Melbourne Cup–winning jockey Michelle Payne at headquarters. I want to thank the passionate member for Narre Warren North for representing the government at that amazing event. Well done to Michelle Payne.

The May Racing Carnival kicks off next month in Warrnambool, and it is something that will attract some 30,000 people from across the country to Warrnambool, generating $15 million in economic activity. The ’Bool carnival is in Western Victoria Region, where Mrs McArthur in the other place can attest to the occasional late scratching of a stablemate in other racing contests. Racing delivers some $4.7 billion in economic activity and 35,000 jobs in Victoria. We will continue to support racing in this state.