On Thursday, 23 July 2026 I attended estimates hearings for the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee and asked why taxpayers are footing the bill for the greyhound racing industry.
You can read my exchange with the Director General and the Acting CEO of Racing Queensland below or in the official Parliamentary record of proceedings here.
Mr BERKMAN: We have already heard about the $200 million budgeted for the racing industry, which includes $100 million for infrastructure including the new Bundaberg greyhound track that has already seen cost blowouts. My question is to the director-general. How much of that $100 million of infrastructure is allocated towards the new Bundaberg greyhound racing track?
Mr Hopper: That question would be better answered by the Acting CEO of Racing Queensland, Mr Murray.
Mr BERKMAN: I am sorry. It is a government funding allocation but it is at Racing Queensland’s discretion? How much of that money is going to go to them to build the racetrack?
Mr SPEAKER: I think the director-general was trying to get an answer for you through Racing Queensland.
Mr BERKMAN: Sure.
Mr Murray: The original $4 million announcement from the minister was from the previous Racing Infrastructure Fund. There will be a balance remaining in that Racing Infrastructure Fund. The announcement for the $200 million fund is separate, so the Bundaberg infrastructure project will not be funded out of the $200 million infrastructure fund that was recently announced.
Mr BERKMAN: Minister, what we are seeing here is that the government is spending public money—apparently because the industry cannot stand on its own two feet—on another racetrack, despite the fact that the last government funded racetrack has seen 37 dogs die at it since it was opened. Why is this something that taxpayers should fund?
Mr McDONALD: Point of order: there is an imputation in that.
Mr SPEAKER: I think so. Member, either rephrase the question or I will rule it out of order.
Mr BERKMAN: Simply put, why are taxpayers paying to fund infrastructure that has killed dozens of dogs since the opening of The Q in Ipswich?
Dr ROWAN: Point of order, Mr Speaker: the member for Maiwar’s question is seeking an opinion. Under standing order 115, I would ask you to consider that matter.
Mr SPEAKER: I agree with the point of order, member for Maiwar, and the clock is against us anyway. I rule it out of order.