Latest news with #TimMander
The Age
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
ATO applies to wind up Brisbane Roar as sports minister weighs in
Queensland's sports minister has expressed his concern about Brisbane Roar's future after the Australian Tax Office sought to have the club – the state's sole A-League representative – wound up over unpaid debts. The ATO applied to wind up the club's corporate entity on Wednesday, with the matter due to be heard in the Federal Court on July 4. The club is owned by the Indonesian-based Bakrie Group, which took over the then-champions – led at the time by Europa League-winning coach Ange Postecoglou – 13 years ago. Sports Minister Tim Mander said it was important elite sport in every code was played in the state and it 'would be terrible' if it lost its A-League club. 'We want them to be healthy,' he said. 'I know they've had a bit of a struggle in recent years. I went to one of their games just about a month ago and it's a great experience. 'Football is the most popular junior sport and so it's important that they have something to aspire to and have pathways to those elite levels.' Roar chief executive Kaz Patafta described the issue as relating to 'historical debt' that predated the club's current management. The Bakrie Group appointed Patafta in July 2023, along with chief operating officer Zac Anderson – both former A-League players.
Sydney Morning Herald
30-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
ATO applies to wind up Brisbane Roar as sports minister weighs in
Queensland's sports minister has expressed his concern about Brisbane Roar's future after the Australian Tax Office sought to have the club – the state's sole A-League representative – wound up over unpaid debts. The ATO applied to wind up the club's corporate entity on Wednesday, with the matter due to be heard in the Federal Court on July 4. The club is owned by the Indonesian-based Bakrie Group, which took over the then-champions – led at the time by Europa League-winning coach Ange Postecoglou – 13 years ago. Sports Minister Tim Mander said it was important elite sport in every code was played in the state and it 'would be terrible' if it lost its A-League club. 'We want them to be healthy,' he said. 'I know they've had a bit of a struggle in recent years. I went to one of their games just about a month ago and it's a great experience. 'Football is the most popular junior sport and so it's important that they have something to aspire to and have pathways to those elite levels.' Roar chief executive Kaz Patafta described the issue as relating to 'historical debt' that predated the club's current management. The Bakrie Group appointed Patafta in July 2023, along with chief operating officer Zac Anderson – both former A-League players.
ABC News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Bundaberg greyhound racing track set for $4m upgrade over animal welfare concerns
A Queensland greyhound racing track with a high injury rate is expected to receive a $4 million upgrade less than two years after its last renovation. The Bundaberg greyhound track, 4.5 hours north of Brisbane, has been closed since September 2024 due to concerns too many dogs were being injured. Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club president Ricky Hassall said the industry was pleased with the government's decision to convert the surface from grass to sand after months of uncertainty. "They're part of our family, our greyhounds, and nobody wants to see them get hurt," he said. He said the upgrade would also include transition corners, which would make it "much safer" for the dogs that raced around the track. "Every grass track is generally getting transformed to sand," said Mr Hassall. "The biggest problem with grass is they tend to get their feet caught … and unfortunately sometimes break a leg, which is terrible." Minister for Sport and Racing Tim Mander has said the conversion would cost up to $4 million and be carried out by Racing Queensland. "It will be good news for greyhound racing in the Wide Bay … and it's also good news for our animals with regards to animal welfare," he said. The Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds's Annie Hendley said the upgrades were a waste of taxpayer money. "It is astounding that in the middle of a housing and cost of living crisis, the LNP Queensland government is willing to blow millions in public money on a new greyhound racing track," Ms Hendley said in a statement. "There are no safe greyhound race tracks. "The government is either deluded or lying when they say that a new track in Bundaberg will be any better." Racing Queensland (RQ) originally promised the conversion in 2023 after the completion of a $1.4 million upgrade of the club's facilities, however, the work never progressed. A year later, the industry body shut the club down after a Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) report found 42 dogs were injured with one deceased or euthanased over a three-month period. The report showed the state's only two-turn grass track had a higher rate of injuries per 1,000 starters than other larger tracks, including Albion Park in Brisbane. The Bundaberg greyhound racing industry injects an estimated $9.6 million annually into the local economy. For the past seven months, RQ has paid more than $52,000 under a travel subsidy for Bundaberg-based trainers to attend races in Rockhampton and Brisbane. Mr Hassell said it was a "terrible" situation for trainers and their dogs travelling long distances. "It's dangerous at night, and you're fatigued," he said. Mr Mander said the travel subsidy would continue to be offered until the track conversion was complete. "I'm not 100 per cent sure how long it takes to do these types of tracks, but it will have priority, and we want to make sure we get these people up and running as quickly as possible," he said.
The Age
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Perry Park upgrade expected to be agreed to in ‘near future'
Football Queensland's push for an upgrade of Perry Park may soon bear fruit, with the state's sports minister hinting on Thursday an agreement was not far off. Football Australia and FQ lobbied to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority for a 17,500-seat stadium, but Perry Park was overlooked as an Olympic venue in its 100-day review. But Premier David Crisafulli accepted GIICA's recommendation that Perry Park receive an upgrade and FQ has been in high-level negotiations with the government about the scale of that upgrade since. Asked whether that upgrade would bring the ageing Perry Park to A-League standards, Sports Minister Tim Mander would only say negotiations were well advanced. 'We have committed to making sure that we have a great facility for football and those discussions are continuing,' he said on Thursday. 'There will be some announcements about that in the near future.' Football Queensland chief executive Robert Cavallucci said they had been working closely with the Crisafulli government for the past few months. 'I want to thank the premier, deputy premier and the minister for sport for their collaborative approach and productive partnership, which is ongoing,' he said. 'They are listening and together we are optimistic about progressing an outcome that will leave a lasting impact for sport and the visitor economy in the city.'
Sydney Morning Herald
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Perry Park upgrade expected to be agreed to in ‘near future'
Football Queensland's push for an upgrade of Perry Park may soon bear fruit, with the state's sports minister hinting on Thursday an agreement was not far off. Football Australia and FQ lobbied to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority for a 17,500-seat stadium, but Perry Park was overlooked as an Olympic venue in its 100-day review. But Premier David Crisafulli accepted GIICA's recommendation that Perry Park receive an upgrade and FQ has been in high-level negotiations with the government about the scale of that upgrade since. Asked whether that upgrade would bring the ageing Perry Park to A-League standards, Sports Minister Tim Mander would only say negotiations were well advanced. 'We have committed to making sure that we have a great facility for football and those discussions are continuing,' he said on Thursday. 'There will be some announcements about that in the near future.' Football Queensland chief executive Robert Cavallucci said they had been working closely with the Crisafulli government for the past few months. 'I want to thank the premier, deputy premier and the minister for sport for their collaborative approach and productive partnership, which is ongoing,' he said. 'They are listening and together we are optimistic about progressing an outcome that will leave a lasting impact for sport and the visitor economy in the city.'
