Victorian Racing Minister faces 'threats' claims over jumps ban

LIBERAL racing spokesman Denis Napthine yesterday accused Racing Minister Rob Hulls of threatening to abolish Racing Victoria Ltd unless officials banned jumps racing in Victoria - a claim vehemently denied by Hulls, reports The Age newspaper.It says: Napthine said that Hulls held talks with RVL chairman Michael Duffy and the organisation's chief executive, Rob Hines, demanding they dump the sport in this state.''The question that has to be asked is what roles have the Government and the Ministe

LIBERAL racing spokesman Denis Napthine yesterday accused Racing Minister Rob Hulls of threatening to abolish Racing Victoria Ltd unless officials banned jumps racing in Victoria - a claim vehemently denied by Hulls, reports The Age newspaper.

It says: Napthine said that Hulls held talks with RVL chairman Michael Duffy and the organisation's chief executive, Rob Hines, demanding they dump the sport in this state.

''The question that has to be asked is what roles have the Government and the Minister for Racing played in this decision to ban jumps racing,'' Napthine told state parliament yesterday.

''I'm advised that the Minister for Racing met with Michael Duffy and Rob Hines before the decision was made and threatened to abolish Racing Victoria and replace it with a racing commission covering all three codes unless RVL banned jumps racing.

''The minister's fingerprints are all over this decision to ban jumps racing. I have been told by independent sources that that took place.

''The minister threatened Racing Victoria with abolition unless it banned jumps racing.''

Hulls said the claims were false. ''Indeed the member has cited that he has proof - independent information - in relation to the blatantly false lies he has told in this place [acting speaker] and I ask you to ask him to table that information now or desist from the false and utterly misleading fabrications that he is presenting to this house.''

Two weeks ago the RVL announced that jumps races in Victoria would be terminated at the end of next winter, a decision that has prompted a ferocious backlash in the racing industry.

Napthine also questioned the role of Hulls last May when Hines suspended jumps racing.

''He has exerted inappropriate political threats and intimidation,'' said Napthine.