Racing Minister’s resignation increases uncertainty for Tasmanian racing industry

Tasmania’s racing minister Jane Howlett has resigned her ministerial position, citing “the relentless personal and political attack on me” as her reasons for leaving.

Howlett, who has held the racing ministry since April 2024, has been under significant pressure from Labor and Greens after accumulating more than $300,000 in taxpayer-funded legal fees, ongoing questions about transparency and her communications with Tasracing.

It was questions about Tasracing, which drew scrutiny over whether she had breached caretaker conventions in her communications with the racing body during last year’s state election campaign, that appear to have been the final straw.

Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff has suggested evidence that Howlett had oversight of a message sent by Tasracing in June last year to participants over the proposal to establish a new insurance program.

Howlett, who was also the Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events, Women and the Prevention of Family Violence, Arts, and Community and Multicultural Affairs, stepped down on Tuesday.

“This morning I tendered my resignation as Minister to the Premier,” she said. 

“It is obvious that the relentless personal and political attack on me is causing a significant distraction for the Government, which I cannot allow to continue.

“It has been an honour to serve the people of Tasmania across multiple portfolios. I have done so with a total focus on public duty.

“Tasmanians should be rightly concerned the Opposition is continuing to destabilise minority government to put their own political interests ahead of the proper work of delivering for our state.”

She has said she would remain in parliament.

Howlett has overseen major changes to Tasmania’s integrity structure during her second tenure as racing minister.

That included the appointment of Sean Carroll as Tasmania’s inaugural Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner, a powerful position which is directly answerable to the minister.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff then made the stunning decision in July to end greyhound racing in the state from mid-2029 in the aftermath of an election where his Liberal Party clung on to minority rule.

However, the government has failed to get the support in the upper house of Tasmanian parliament to push the ban through, leaving the industry in limbo.

Howlett has also been responsible for working on funding arrangements with both the thoroughbred and harness codes for when the current 20-year deed expires in July 2029.

The existing funding deed, secured after the sale of the Tasmanian tote in 2009, provides around $38 million a year to Tasracing, or around 54 per cent of the industry’s revenue.

While discussions about a renewed funding deed have been underway for well over two years and consultations have been undertaken with industry, there is no timeline for a resolution, leaving participants and the racing body in limbo.

In the wake of Howlett’s resignation, Rockliff said arrangements will be put in place to ensure continuity across ministerial portfolios.

“Minister Howlett has made the decision to step aside to ensure the Government remains focused on the job Tasmanians elected us to do,” the Premier said.

“Minister Howlett will continue to represent the people of Lyons and support delivery across the state in a range of areas.

“At a time when Tasmanians expect steady leadership, this Government remains focused on providing stability, continuity, and results.

“What Tasmanians will not see from this Government is a loss of focus. We are continuing to get on with strengthening the economy, supporting jobs, and delivering essential services.”

Prior to Howlett, Madeline Ogilvie held the racing portfolio from 2022 until 2024. Ogilvie herself resigned from the ministry in late May following revelations she misled parliament during budget estimates in November 2025.