The bosses of Victoria's premier race clubs met at a billionaire's Toorak mansion. A merger was on the menu
Members of both clubs would need to vote for a merger to happen.
It was suggested at the meeting that winning the support of MRC members could involve free membership of the new entity for at least two years, according to sources familiar with the discussion but not willing to speak publicly about a private gathering.
While Wilson took his vice chairman to the meeting with Munz, sources claim Kanga did not take the matter back to his board.
But, according to the sources, the relationship between the two clubs soured recently after sensitive information about the VRC's finances was leaked from a private Racing Forum, hosted by Racing Victoria, to the Herald Sun.
The newspaper's May 22 story – 'Desperate VRC raids Everest rival race for Melbourne Cup prize money' – angered members of the VRC committee and executive.
Munz declined to comment on the meeting, while Kanga and Wilson were contacted for comment.
Former Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones wrote a column for this masthead in November last year, suggesting 'it has been obvious to the racing industry for decades that Melbourne's clubs should come together'.
Such a merger would leave Moonee Valley Racing Club out on its own as it prepares to close its gates for 21 months in November to undergo a complete rebuild of its track and facilities.
The Valley rejected a behind-the-scenes push at Racing Victoria in 2015 for the MVRC to be absorbed into the VRC and the Cox Plate to be run at Flemington.
Wilson told this masthead in February that the VRC would return to profitability by 2026 on the back of a lucrative new media deal with Tabcorp and Nine (owner of this masthead), worth between $30 million and $40 million, a return to bumper Melbourne Cup week crowds and new sponsorship agreements.
The VRC announced a three-year partnership extension with Lexus in March, including Melbourne Cup naming rights until 2027, but Penfolds winery has pulled the pin on its lucrative spring carnival contract.
Kanga has publicly supported the prospect of a merger between Melbourne's metropolitan clubs in the past as way for the industry to become more efficient.
But his MRC board has come under scrutiny this week after removing chief executive Tom Reilly from office, and announcing that it had appointed Tanya Fullarton as chief operating officer.
Two sources not permitted to speak on behalf of the MRC told this masthead that COO role was not advertised and that Fullarton would be paid $500,000-a-year, plus bonuses.
Fullarton sits on the Thoroughbred Racehorse Association board alongside Munz.
MRC board member Barbara Saunders resigned on Monday in support of Reilly.
'I resigned because I had concerns about the lack of governance at the club and the removal of Tom Reilly from his position as CEO because, in my opinion, he was performing the role very well,' Saunders said.
The MRC released a statement on Monday night to say it had removed Reilly from the CEO role because 'sometimes things don't work out'.
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'Tom was only CEO for three months and when things don't go as well as they should, it is best to pivot and move on,' Kanga said in the statement.
The MRC chairman said the board had appointed Fullarton as COO to 'work with me'.
Kanga swept to power as chairman at a board meeting in October last year, two months after he filed a motion for a special general meeting to remove committee members Matt Cain, Nick Hassett, Mark Pratt, Brooke Dawson, Scott Davidson and Jill Monk.
His Save Our MRC movement followed through on its promise to save Sandown Racecourse from development, move the new Caulfield mounting yard back to its original position in front of the members' stand as well as scrapping plans to build a new $250 million grandstand at Caulfield.
He signed off on an agreement to sell seven hectares of land beside Caulfield Racecourse to Mount Scopus Memorial College for $195 million – a deal that will clear the MRC's $160 million debt, money borrowed to build a new inside track, a new office block, subterranean tie-up stalls and a mounting yard that is no longer used.
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The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Workers optimistic but employers wary over wages bill
About one in seven Australian workers will have their penalty rates increased and their employers will not be able to reduce them, under changes proposed by the Albanese government. One of those workers is service assistant Ruth Sumner, who for 25 years had to struggle to provide for her kids. Although her children have moved out, she still has to look for deals to pay for her basic needs, sacrificing her quality of life. "It's sad because everything's going up. It's your power and everything," Ms Sumner told AAP. "I look at an apple that I really like but if there's one two dollars cheaper, I'm going to buy the cheaper one." She stands to benefit from a bill Labor has introduced to the lower house that seeks to enshrine higher rates of pay for award workers when they work late nights, early hours, weekends and public holidays. If it is passed, award workers will earn a base weekend penalty rate of about $40 an hour. While rates can vary depending on an employee's specific award or agreement applicable to that industry, common pay rates for workers on a Sunday are double time (200 per cent) or time and a half (150 per cent). A calculation of rates on the Fair Work Commission's website shows a common penalty for a casual hospitality Saturday shift to be $40.85 per hour, while a Sunday shift could bring in $47.65 per hour. Ms Rishworth said award workers deserved to have their wages protected. "Wages of low-paid workers should not go backwards because that's not fair and not what Australians expect of our workplace relation system," Ms Rishworth said as she introduced the bill. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the bill was anything but simple and fair, calling it a "backwards step". Acting chief executive David Alexander said it made negotiating wage changes harder for employers, especially small businesses who already struggled to work through the "complex" fair work act. "Tying Australian businesses up in knots around workplace systems has the effect of strangling growth and that means less jobs and lower wages," Mr Alexander said. "This bill is at odds with the government's plans to improve productivity, and instead injects more rigidity and complexity into the fair work laws." Opposition employment spokesman Tim Wilson said the coalition supported penalty rates, but agreed the government had overlooked small businesses who had not been adequately consulted. He floated holding a Senate inquiry so employers' could voice their concerns. "There's concerns that this may undermine the role of the Fair Work Commission," Mr Wilson said. "If anything, small business needs to be brought into the conversation because they need hope, and when you need hope, the best way to give it is to be part of the conversation about the way forward." Mr Wilson said the absence of a regulatory impact statement, which lays out the potential impacts of the proposed changes, meant consultation was even more important. The Australian Council of Trade Unions said young people, women and casual workers would suffer most if higher penalty rates were not enshrined. "Unfortunately, for decades, employers have pushed and pushed to erode or abolish them," secretary Sally McManus said. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association said wage theft remained a problem in the retail and fast food industries, and the protections would force employers to show they respect their workers. The bill will be passed to MPs before it is debated in parliament at a later date. About one in seven Australian workers will have their penalty rates increased and their employers will not be able to reduce them, under changes proposed by the Albanese government. One of those workers is service assistant Ruth Sumner, who for 25 years had to struggle to provide for her kids. Although her children have moved out, she still has to look for deals to pay for her basic needs, sacrificing her quality of life. "It's sad because everything's going up. It's your power and everything," Ms Sumner told AAP. "I look at an apple that I really like but if there's one two dollars cheaper, I'm going to buy the cheaper one." She stands to benefit from a bill Labor has introduced to the lower house that seeks to enshrine higher rates of pay for award workers when they work late nights, early hours, weekends and public holidays. If it is passed, award workers will earn a base weekend penalty rate of about $40 an hour. While rates can vary depending on an employee's specific award or agreement applicable to that industry, common pay rates for workers on a Sunday are double time (200 per cent) or time and a half (150 per cent). A calculation of rates on the Fair Work Commission's website shows a common penalty for a casual hospitality Saturday shift to be $40.85 per hour, while a Sunday shift could bring in $47.65 per hour. Ms Rishworth said award workers deserved to have their wages protected. "Wages of low-paid workers should not go backwards because that's not fair and not what Australians expect of our workplace relation system," Ms Rishworth said as she introduced the bill. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the bill was anything but simple and fair, calling it a "backwards step". Acting chief executive David Alexander said it made negotiating wage changes harder for employers, especially small businesses who already struggled to work through the "complex" fair work act. "Tying Australian businesses up in knots around workplace systems has the effect of strangling growth and that means less jobs and lower wages," Mr Alexander said. "This bill is at odds with the government's plans to improve productivity, and instead injects more rigidity and complexity into the fair work laws." Opposition employment spokesman Tim Wilson said the coalition supported penalty rates, but agreed the government had overlooked small businesses who had not been adequately consulted. He floated holding a Senate inquiry so employers' could voice their concerns. "There's concerns that this may undermine the role of the Fair Work Commission," Mr Wilson said. "If anything, small business needs to be brought into the conversation because they need hope, and when you need hope, the best way to give it is to be part of the conversation about the way forward." Mr Wilson said the absence of a regulatory impact statement, which lays out the potential impacts of the proposed changes, meant consultation was even more important. The Australian Council of Trade Unions said young people, women and casual workers would suffer most if higher penalty rates were not enshrined. "Unfortunately, for decades, employers have pushed and pushed to erode or abolish them," secretary Sally McManus said. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association said wage theft remained a problem in the retail and fast food industries, and the protections would force employers to show they respect their workers. The bill will be passed to MPs before it is debated in parliament at a later date. About one in seven Australian workers will have their penalty rates increased and their employers will not be able to reduce them, under changes proposed by the Albanese government. One of those workers is service assistant Ruth Sumner, who for 25 years had to struggle to provide for her kids. Although her children have moved out, she still has to look for deals to pay for her basic needs, sacrificing her quality of life. "It's sad because everything's going up. It's your power and everything," Ms Sumner told AAP. "I look at an apple that I really like but if there's one two dollars cheaper, I'm going to buy the cheaper one." She stands to benefit from a bill Labor has introduced to the lower house that seeks to enshrine higher rates of pay for award workers when they work late nights, early hours, weekends and public holidays. If it is passed, award workers will earn a base weekend penalty rate of about $40 an hour. While rates can vary depending on an employee's specific award or agreement applicable to that industry, common pay rates for workers on a Sunday are double time (200 per cent) or time and a half (150 per cent). A calculation of rates on the Fair Work Commission's website shows a common penalty for a casual hospitality Saturday shift to be $40.85 per hour, while a Sunday shift could bring in $47.65 per hour. Ms Rishworth said award workers deserved to have their wages protected. "Wages of low-paid workers should not go backwards because that's not fair and not what Australians expect of our workplace relation system," Ms Rishworth said as she introduced the bill. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the bill was anything but simple and fair, calling it a "backwards step". Acting chief executive David Alexander said it made negotiating wage changes harder for employers, especially small businesses who already struggled to work through the "complex" fair work act. "Tying Australian businesses up in knots around workplace systems has the effect of strangling growth and that means less jobs and lower wages," Mr Alexander said. "This bill is at odds with the government's plans to improve productivity, and instead injects more rigidity and complexity into the fair work laws." Opposition employment spokesman Tim Wilson said the coalition supported penalty rates, but agreed the government had overlooked small businesses who had not been adequately consulted. He floated holding a Senate inquiry so employers' could voice their concerns. "There's concerns that this may undermine the role of the Fair Work Commission," Mr Wilson said. "If anything, small business needs to be brought into the conversation because they need hope, and when you need hope, the best way to give it is to be part of the conversation about the way forward." Mr Wilson said the absence of a regulatory impact statement, which lays out the potential impacts of the proposed changes, meant consultation was even more important. The Australian Council of Trade Unions said young people, women and casual workers would suffer most if higher penalty rates were not enshrined. "Unfortunately, for decades, employers have pushed and pushed to erode or abolish them," secretary Sally McManus said. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association said wage theft remained a problem in the retail and fast food industries, and the protections would force employers to show they respect their workers. The bill will be passed to MPs before it is debated in parliament at a later date. About one in seven Australian workers will have their penalty rates increased and their employers will not be able to reduce them, under changes proposed by the Albanese government. One of those workers is service assistant Ruth Sumner, who for 25 years had to struggle to provide for her kids. Although her children have moved out, she still has to look for deals to pay for her basic needs, sacrificing her quality of life. "It's sad because everything's going up. It's your power and everything," Ms Sumner told AAP. "I look at an apple that I really like but if there's one two dollars cheaper, I'm going to buy the cheaper one." She stands to benefit from a bill Labor has introduced to the lower house that seeks to enshrine higher rates of pay for award workers when they work late nights, early hours, weekends and public holidays. If it is passed, award workers will earn a base weekend penalty rate of about $40 an hour. While rates can vary depending on an employee's specific award or agreement applicable to that industry, common pay rates for workers on a Sunday are double time (200 per cent) or time and a half (150 per cent). A calculation of rates on the Fair Work Commission's website shows a common penalty for a casual hospitality Saturday shift to be $40.85 per hour, while a Sunday shift could bring in $47.65 per hour. Ms Rishworth said award workers deserved to have their wages protected. "Wages of low-paid workers should not go backwards because that's not fair and not what Australians expect of our workplace relation system," Ms Rishworth said as she introduced the bill. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the bill was anything but simple and fair, calling it a "backwards step". Acting chief executive David Alexander said it made negotiating wage changes harder for employers, especially small businesses who already struggled to work through the "complex" fair work act. "Tying Australian businesses up in knots around workplace systems has the effect of strangling growth and that means less jobs and lower wages," Mr Alexander said. "This bill is at odds with the government's plans to improve productivity, and instead injects more rigidity and complexity into the fair work laws." Opposition employment spokesman Tim Wilson said the coalition supported penalty rates, but agreed the government had overlooked small businesses who had not been adequately consulted. He floated holding a Senate inquiry so employers' could voice their concerns. "There's concerns that this may undermine the role of the Fair Work Commission," Mr Wilson said. "If anything, small business needs to be brought into the conversation because they need hope, and when you need hope, the best way to give it is to be part of the conversation about the way forward." Mr Wilson said the absence of a regulatory impact statement, which lays out the potential impacts of the proposed changes, meant consultation was even more important. The Australian Council of Trade Unions said young people, women and casual workers would suffer most if higher penalty rates were not enshrined. "Unfortunately, for decades, employers have pushed and pushed to erode or abolish them," secretary Sally McManus said. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association said wage theft remained a problem in the retail and fast food industries, and the protections would force employers to show they respect their workers. The bill will be passed to MPs before it is debated in parliament at a later date.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Push to delay penalty rates ban
The Coalition has indicated it will delay Labor's proposed laws to ban the reduction of penalty and overtime rates in modern awards, with Liberal MP Tim Wilson stating more information was needed on the impact on small businesses. A new Bill, which was introduced by Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth on Thursday, will also override the Fair Work Commission (FWC) from substituting the entitlements if it reduces the overall take-home pay of even a single worker on a modern award. However, Mr Wilson, the Coalition's small business and industrial relations spokesman, accused Labor of trying to 'ram' the legislation through parliament and signalled the opposition was likely to push the Bill to an inquiry. While he confirmed he'd reviewed the legislation, Mr Wilson said Ms Rishworth was still unable to answer how the Bill would affect small businesses. 'There is a simple reality. There are no penalty rates on jobs that do not exist,' he said. Tim Wilson said small businesses needed to be consulted on the proposed Bill. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia 'The Coalition supports penalty rates. We support higher wages … but that isn't what we're getting from this government with their approach, where their focus is how they do their pay-offs as part of their legislative victory lap, rather than focusing on how to improve the economic conditions that list the standards of living and the wages of Australians.' While Mr Wilson said the Coalition would 'obviously talk to parties from across the parliament', the opposition had yet to take a firm stance on the Bill. Ms Rishworth urged the Coalition and Greens to support the legislation and said it was a 'key commitment' Labor took to the election. 'My message to the opposition is that they need to listen to the decision of the Australian people,' she said. 'The Australian people clearly back this government to get on with the job of getting wages moving and ensuring that Australians can earn more and keep more of what they earn.' In response, Mr Wilson said it was proper and 'standard' process to get an 'assessment of the impact of legislation'. 'This is standard, so they can make the claims about what their mandate may be, it doesn't mean it gives them a right to override the standard processes of legislative passage,' he said. As it stands, Labor will need either support of the Greens or the Coalition if it is to pass the legislation in the Senate. Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth introduced the Bill on Thursday. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia While the Greens have confirmed the party has reviewed the legislation, it has yet to reach a position. Greens workplace relations spokeswoman Barbara Pocock said the party was having a 'close look' at the Bill and would make a decision 'in the coming days'. She also pushed for stronger workers' rights like a four-day work week without a reduction in pay. Responding to whether the Greens would support pushing the legislation to an inquiry, she said the party would consider all options. 'This is a no-cost bill for small business, as I read it, but as I said earlier, I've just received the Bill,' she said. 'We're having a close look, and we will want to make sure that there are no unintended consequences and that we get the best possible Bill that we can for some of Australia's most vulnerable workers.' The election promise was prompted by a FWC review prompted by the Australian Retailers Association to allow senior management to take a 25 per cent wage increase above minimum award entitlements in exchange for overtime, weekend and public holiday penalty rates and rest breaks. The submission has been backed by the supermarket giants, plus beauty giant Mecca, as well as Kmart, Costco and 7-Eleven.
The Age
2 days ago
- The Age
Flemington is favourite to host 2026 Cox Plate, but bookies say it's not past the post yet
The TAB entered a six-year, $40 million broadcasting deal with the VRC last year, which includes the owner of this masthead, Nine, broadcasting Melbourne Cup week. But the two sources said TAB boss Gillon McLachlan would welcome a Cox Plate at Flemington and has had positive ongoing discussions with the VRC and Entain, which owns Ladbrokes, about sharing oncourse advertising space. Both racing clubs have several conflicting brands that would need to be onboard before a Cox Plate venue was announced. The VRC has ongoing deals with the TAB, Lexus, Crown, beer brand Furphy and is about to start a partnership with De Bortoli Wines, while Moonee Valley lists some of its key carnival partners as Ladbrokes, Mercedes dealership 3 Point Motors and Seppelt Wines. Moonee Valley CEO Michael Browell said last week that an announcement on the Cox Plate was close. 'We would have liked to have had that wrapped up by now, but a decision on that is imminent,' he said. The VRC chose not to answer specific questions about its corporate partners, but CEO Kylie Rogers continued to hold the line that her club wanted next year's Cox Plate run at its famous racecourse. 'It would be a privilege to host the Cox Plate at Flemington,' Rogers said. 'We have been a key player in discussions and await official confirmation.' A TAB spokesperson said it was working 'collaboratively with all stakeholders on future Spring Carnival scheduling options that can benefit both the industry and our customers', while a Ladbrokes spokesman said the betting giant was 'working closely with the Moonee Valley Racing Club, Racing Victoria, and all relevant stakeholders to support discussions around the most appropriate venue for the 2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate'. Racing Victoria said it was awaiting a final recommendation from Moonee Valley before making its decision. 'It will be run at a group 1 track that maximises wagering returns for the industry and where the host track partner can maximise engagement and the best promotion of the race,' an RV spokesperson said. Both Melbourne Racing Club, which runs Caulfield, and its major sponsor Sportsbet said they would support any decision Racing Victoria made about the venue for next year's Cox Plate. The ongoing delay comes as Moonee Valley reopens negotiations with major sporting organisations and sporting companies on the long-term lease of its racecourse infield. The Valley will lock its gates after this year's October Cox Plate and major work will begin on shifting its amphitheatre track as well as building a new grandstand and clubhouse. The AFL, Harness Racing Victoria, soccer organisations and a golf driving range firm are among those seeking exclusive access to the land. 'We haven't ruled anything out, but we haven't ruled anything in at this stage,' Browell said. The AFL wants two new ovals inside the racecourse that would be open to the public and could also potentially provide a training base for the league's homeless umpiring fraternity. Loading Harness Racing Victoria CEO Matt Isaacs said his organisation remained ambitious for a return to Moonee Valley and was in regular dialogue with the club about opportunities for such a move. 'It is an attractive option with significant potential, including exposing harness racing to a greater metropolitan market and building what would be one of the world's greatest harness racing venues,' Isaacs said. 'However, it would require significant investment and carries with it timing challenges. 'We will continue to do due diligence and work with the club and the state government to make sure any decision is in the best long-term interests of the sport.' The state government announced last week it would contribute $5 million to Moonee Valley's $220 million redevelopment, which will go towards new lights, grass and horse stalls.
