Melbourne Racing Club: chief executive officer
Ms HENNESSY (Altona) — My question is to the Minister for Racing. I refer the minister to comments made by Mr Alasdair Robertson, CEO of the Melbourne Racing Club, at a government media event yesterday, including sexist and offensive comments he made comparing members of the media to prostitutes and hit men, and I ask: did the minister condemn these comments at the time and does he believe they appropriately promote the image of racing in Victoria?
Dr NAPTHINE (Minister for Racing) — I thank the honourable member for her question. As members are aware, racing is an important industry in the state of Victoria. It is a multibillion-dollar industry and provides employment for over 70 000 Victorians. Yesterday I was in the grounds of Parliament House promoting what is going to be a significant event for the racing industry this weekend. I was in the company of representatives of the Arab horse group; representatives of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai and United Arab Emirates Minister for Finance; and representatives of the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates. We were promoting the inaugural Shadwell Arabian Mile race, on Saturday at Caulfield Racecourse. There was a media event to promote that race, which is an important race because it will be the first time that Arab horses will have raced on Australian racetracks under the Australian rules of racing. It is an important issue.
At that conference questions were raised with me about not only that event but also other matters to do with racing. Subsequently there were issues raised about some comments made at that event. I can assure the house that I did not hear the comments made at that event. I was not aware of them in any way, shape or form.
Ms Allan interjected.
The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Bendigo East!
Dr NAPTHINE — Just take your time.
Honourable members interjecting.
The SPEAKER — Order! The minister was giving a serious answer to a serious question. I ask members of the opposition and members of the government to refrain from interjecting.
Dr NAPTHINE — I was advised this morning that the Melbourne Racing Club official who made these comments has apologised for what he described as his stupid and inappropriate comments. An article that appeared online at http://www.smh.com.au at 12.43 p.m. on 7 April reports: ‘In the heat of the moment I made a stupid comment and I’ve actually openly apologised for it this morning’, Mr Robertson told radio 3AW.
Of course I do not agree with those comments. Indeed I believe those comments were totally inappropriate and totally wrong and should be condemned. There is no place for those sorts of comments in racing in Victoria. Anybody who suggests that the racing industry of Victoria is at all sexist is absolutely wrong. People of both genders have served the racing industry well in Victoria and across Australia at all levels, whether as jockeys, as trainers or as officials. Males and females have served the racing industry well.
It was an inappropriate comment for which the person responsible has apologised. I did not hear the comments at the time, and I condemn them, but I say at the same time that this should not distract in any way, shape or form from what will be a great event on Saturday — the Shadwell Arabian Mile. It is the first time we will have Arabian horses racing on a Victorian racetrack. It is absolutely vital and important for the future of this state.
Honourable members interjecting.
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The following address highlights again the difference between Glen Eira and other councils. Readers should remember that Lipshutz was against the introduction of an alcohol free zone in Bentleigh, since it would necessitate more staff for the currently already overworked 1000 staff, and in his view, the police were against it!
City of Kingston: alcohol-free zones
Mr LIM (Clayton) — I rise to congratulate the City of Kingston for introducing alcohol-free zones. As a progressive city, Kingston has always been at the forefront of introducing and maintaining safety measures to provide a secure environment for its residents to live, shop and socialise. The recent introduction of two alcohol-free zones in Clayton South and Clarinda, in the electorate of Clayton, is testament to the determination of the City of Kingston to improve its family-friendly and kid-friendly culture, as well as its residents’ sense of security.
There has been a growing trend of binge drinking in general, as well as people drinking outside their local bottle shops. Local businesses and community groups have long supported the establishment of alcohol-free zones to address irresponsible drinking behaviour. Residents and beach users in Kingston have also submitted petitions to the council, calling for the further restriction of alcohol consumption. The City of Kingston’s decision to introduce alcohol-free zones means that consumption of alcohol will be prohibited in designated blocks. Consumption of alcohol will be regulated and controlled in those public places. I have confidence that this policy will play a crucial role in curbing the unhealthy trend of binge drinking and related antisocial behaviour. More importantly, this policy will help make local residents feel more secure and make Kingston a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Glen Eira Debates 
April 8, 2011 at 10:01 PM
Congratulations on the comments regarding any Journalists, not just female . They are scum. Just look at the Journo now in the Federal Court for Racism accusations.
April 9, 2011 at 8:46 AM
I think Robertson’s comment must have been misquoted. Surely he would have added “a resident of Glen Eira” to the list of undesirable outcomes for his children.
April 9, 2011 at 1:34 PM
Maybe this is why he wants to build a giant 23+ storey building in the shape of a penis on what was a Glen Eira public reserve.
April 12, 2011 at 12:12 AM
The Arab kings or whoever are now pleased to have taken ove the race meeting in the middle of the meeting, when all important races like the cups are held and delayed, the program and racegoers for over an hour. Will racegoers think that was a good idea or will they attend a picnic meeting when the next MRC meeting takes place?
Do readers think Mr R was also trying to interest the Arab Kings in buying the C80 for an inflated price after our whimpish council gives approval without a worry about traffic, carparking or open space. Then we will have a foreign power in charge of the building and even on the land taken from the English Crown, handed over without community support without going to war!!!
It was very kind of Glen Eira residents to sacrifice further open space and build more buildings on my green grass when I have less than anywhere else in Victoria. Where will I have a smoke or take in my sunshine daily? Me thinks the people trying to catch a train in a hurry will not want to walk past thousands who spill out onto the footpath for smoking,sunning and loitering purposes.