Tasracing's Political Message: A Caretaker Convention Breach

0:00In Sydney, it's March 3rd, and here's what is going on. During Tasmania's state election campaign on July 3rd, 2025, the government-owned task-rassing sent a text message and posted online about the Liberal Party's new, Taisan's share policy. The message highlighted benefits, like workers' compensation insurance for racing industry participants if the Liberals won. It was quickly removed after complaints about breaching caretaker conventions, which banned using public resources for party politics. Taisan prepared the message that afternoon, with the public relations consultant drafting it and getting approval from racing minister Jane Hallitz. Senior advisor, Luke Gaitani, as a courtesy heads up. The premiere had announced Taisan's Sir the day before, but details like the insurance angle weren't fully public yet. Labor politicians slammed it as an egregious breach, urging premiere Jeremy Rocklift to act. He pointed out Taisan's role as a state agency means it must stay neutral during elections. Minister Hallitz initially said not as she nor her office knew about it beforehand.

1:03New emails revealed through rights information requests show Gaitani was looped in before the message went out, though he didn't edit it. Hallitz later corrected statements about her own social media post linking to the content. Taisan Racing CEO, Andrew Jenkins, took full responsibility, insisting it wasn't meant as political support. The government says the issue is resolved, but labor leaders continue pushing for stronger accountability on these caretaker rules. A message from our sponsor supports today's story. When you want calm, do not reach for your phone. Lay back and listen.