Racing Queensland Expects New Race Information Fee To Bring In Extra A$15M

Racing Queensland forecast the new Race Information Fee schedule to "bring up to an additional" A$15M ($11.5M) to the industry this financial year, according to Nathan Exelby of the Brisbane COURIER-MAIL. Racing Minister Grace Grace said that the forecast for '16-17 was between A$72M-A$74M ($55.4M-$57M). She said, "This forecast takes into account new race information fees that were introduced on January 1." Last financial year, RQ collected A$59.6M in RIFs. Meanwhile, the merger talks between Tabcorp and Tatts "took an unexpected twist" last week when Tabcorp bypassed the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission and went straight to the Australian Competition Tribunal (COURIER-MAIL, 3/19).