Horse flu damage spreads
{{date|August 28, 2007}}
{{Australian news}}
As the Federal [[w:Australian Labour Party|Labor Party]] calls for an inquiry into the [[w:2007 Australian equine influenza outbreak|outbreak of Equine Influenza]], federal Opposition leader [[w:Kevin Rudd|Kevin Rudd]] said "if there is a hole in the quarantine system, it needs to be plugged straight away."

Federal Minister for Agriculture Mr McGauran has cautioned against a rushed judgment that failures at the Eastern Creek Quarantine station was the cause of the outbreak. But an unidentified former quarantine official believes its the most likely source.
 
[[w:New South Wales Police Force|Mounted Police]] patrols during the [[w:Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|APEC]] meeting scheduled for Sydney next week have been canceled, as to plans to bring additional horses from interstate. Deputy Commissioner Andrew Scipione said "It won't stop us being able to protect dignitaries, the public or police at any planned protest"

Organisers of the [[w:World Youth Day|World Youth Day]] Papal mass plans of holding the event at Randwick Race course are also doubt. Vice President of the Randwick Trainers Association Mr O'Shea said of the current outbreak "We are going to take a massive financial hit now..."  

"If we go through both World Youth Day and equine influenza that would be the death knell for training at Randwick," Original plans for the Papal mass required 10 weeks where trainers would not be able to use the Randwick facilities, a revised plan which would use the venue for 3 days was suggested.

Mr O'Shea said the three-day plan was "totally unworkable" as it would require 24 days of disruption.

Australia's largest [[w:Gambling|wagering]] company [[w:Tabcorp Holdings|Tabcorp Holdings LTD]] announced it has lost an estimated A$150 million after the cancellation of last weekends racing, this caused it share price to drop 4.6% on Monday. 

A Tabcorp spokes person said "Based on its experience to date, if Australian racing (thoroughbred and harness) were not to resume until next weekend, Tabcorp expects that the loss in turnover will be in the order of A$150m" Further falls are likely with A$1.5 billion in [[w:Melbourne Cup|Melbourne Cup]] and Spring carnival turnover under threat if the outbreak causes cancellation of races. 

[[w:Tattersalls|Tatersalls]] spokesman said it would have to run into months before it had an significant impact on their earning. Sportsbet said they stood to lose A$20m in turnover each weekend, with A$50m turnover at risk for the Melbourne Cup.

An independent study into the 2005 Melbourne Cup conclude it contribute A$318m into the Victorian economy. The racing industry has called on the Government to setup National disaster relief for the industry.

Peter V'Landy, Chief Executive of Racing New South Wales said "Jockeys can't earn an income unless they're riding. You've got stable hands, catering staff, totalisator staff and, you know, there are a lot of small businesses. I think this is a natural disaster for the racing industry. It's a very big industry, it's one of the top three in Australia, so we are, we are seeking now for financial assistance to these people so they can meet their financial commitment."

{{Current|story=2007 Australia horse flu|update=4}}

==Related news==
*{{Wikinews|title=Horse racing in NSW, Queensland cancelled indefinitely|date=August 28, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Horse flu spreads in Australia|date=August 27, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=72 hour Australia wide ban on horse movements|date=August 25, 2007}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22318385-2,00.html
|title=Papal mass now 'out of the question'
|author=Jill Rowbotham and Tony Arrold
|pub=News.com.au
|date=August 28, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22321426-601,00.html
|title=Mounted patrols for APEC cancelled
|author=AAP
|pub=The Australian
|date=August 28, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/28/business/18708307&sec=business
|title=Aussie betting firms take a hit
|author=Reuters
|pub=The Star online
|date=August 28, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2007/s2016876.htm
|title=Labor wants inquiry into spread of equine flu
|author=
|pub=Australian Broadcasting Corporation
|date=August 27, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22312014-5013404,00.html
|title=Tabcorp shares set to take a tumble
|author=Geoffrey Newman
|pub=The Australian
|date=August 27, 2007}}

{{publish}}
{{archived}}

[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:Australia]]
[[category:Oceania]]
[[Category:Horse racing]]
[[Category:Kevin Rudd]]
[[Category:Influenza]]

[[fr:Australie : l'épidémie de grippe chevaline s'aggrave]]
As the Federal Labor Party calls for an inquiry into the outbreak of Equine Influenza, federal Opposition leader Kevin Rudd said "if there is a hole in the quarantine system, it needs to be plugged straight away."

Federal Minister for Agriculture Mr McGauran has cautioned against a rushed judgment that failures at the Eastern Creek Quarantine station was the cause of the outbreak. But an unidentified former quarantine official believes its the most likely source.
 
Mounted Police patrols during the APEC meeting scheduled for Sydney next week have been canceled, as to plans to bring additional horses from interstate. Deputy Commissioner Andrew Scipione said "It won't stop us being able to protect dignitaries, the public or police at any planned protest"

Organisers of the World Youth Day Papal mass plans of holding the event at Randwick Race course are also doubt. Vice President of the Randwick Trainers Association Mr O'Shea said of the current outbreak "We are going to take a massive financial hit now..."  

"If we go through both World Youth Day and equine influenza that would be the death knell for training at Randwick," Original plans for the Papal mass required 10 weeks where trainers would not be able to use the Randwick facilities, a revised plan which would use the venue for 3 days was suggested.

Mr O'Shea said the three-day plan was "totally unworkable" as it would require 24 days of disruption.

Australia's largest wagering company Tabcorp Holdings LTD announced it has lost an estimated A$150 million after the cancellation of last weekends racing, this caused it share price to drop 4.6% on Monday. 

A Tabcorp spokes person said "Based on its experience to date, if Australian racing (thoroughbred and harness) were not to resume until next weekend, Tabcorp expects that the loss in turnover will be in the order of A$150m" Further falls are likely with A$1.5 billion in Melbourne Cup and Spring carnival turnover under threat if the outbreak causes cancellation of races. 

Tatersalls spokesman said it would have to run into months before it had an significant impact on their earning. Sportsbet said they stood to lose A$20m in turnover each weekend, with A$50m turnover at risk for the Melbourne Cup.

An independent study into the 2005 Melbourne Cup conclude it contribute A$318m into the Victorian economy. The racing industry has called on the Government to setup National disaster relief for the industry.

Peter V'Landy, Chief Executive of Racing New South Wales said "Jockeys can't earn an income unless they're riding. You've got stable hands, catering staff, totalisator staff and, you know, there are a lot of small businesses. I think this is a natural disaster for the racing industry. It's a very big industry, it's one of the top three in Australia, so we are, we are seeking now for financial assistance to these people so they can meet their financial commitment."


category:Oceania


fr:Australie : l'épidémie de grippe chevaline s'aggrave
Sports Australia Horse racing Kevin Rudd Influenza