SOLUTIONS NOT BOYCOTTS
Quotes attributable to Bev McArthur MP:
“I totally reject Andy Meddick’s call (as recorded on 3AW on October 18) for a boycott of the Melbourne Cup and all other race meetings.”
“Andy Meddick is a man of prohibition not action – whether it is duck hunting, horse racing, or animal food and fibre production. He calls for bans, boycotts and costly inquiries.”
“Meanwhile, Racing Victoria are taking real action, and I congratulate them for committing $25m to the retraining of thoroughbreds and the VRC’s announcement of its Equine Wellbeing Fund, to improve horse welfare following the recent ABC investigation.”
“In fact, we should be asking the ABC why they ran an undercover operation for two years and failed to immediate report this cruelty to the responsible authorities.”
“We should also be asking the Queensland government regulators about why they were failing to do their job.”
“Tomorrow’s race will be watched by 100,000 attendees and 650 million people across the world, bringing joy and excitement to so many.”
“The Melbourne Cup brings at least $500m to the Victorian economy, with 73,000 out of state attendees, and 20,000 overseas visitors. It creates employment for 21,000 staff and over 800 contractors.”
“Mr Meddick’s choice to be a vegan should be respected, but he should stop telling people what they can and can’t eat, and stop interfering in country pursuits including horseracing, which have been widely-enjoyed for generations, let alone threatening the livelihoods of so many people employed in the racing and agriculture industries.”
4 November 2019