The Queensland Government has approved a $3-million Commission of Inquiry into the state’s racing industry.

It comes as Premier Campbell Newman confirmed his intention to sign up to the National Disability Insurance Scheme this week.

Paige Hasaballah reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The probe will focus on dealings within the industry back as far as 2007 during both the Beattie and Bligh terms.

A key focus is the 20 million dollar transfer of taxpayer funds to a RQL infrastructure trust account before the state election last year.

Premier Campbell Newman says he also supports the inquiry.

Campbell Newman, Qld Premier: “These are important matters. They involve significant amounts of public money. There have been too many stories in the media and too many complaints to the government for us to ignore this any longer.”

The Premier also confirmed he’s happy to sign up to the Federal Government’s National Disability Insurance Scheme if all goes according to plan.

Campbell Newman, Qld Premier: “I see no obstacle whatsoever to us signing up to NDIS in the not-too-distant future.”

Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory have already signed up to the scheme which now being called Disability Care Australia.

Jenny Macklin, Federal Families Minister: “Well I certainly hope we will get agreement with the Queensland government. I’ve seen the positive comments from the Queensland Premier.”

But the Newman Government is facing an ongoing backlash to its tough stance on the economy.

Nearly 500 members of the Builders Labourers Federation staged a protest march through the city early this morning.

It comes after record numbers took part in the annual May Day march on the weekend.

It’s the first time Labour Day has not been held on the first weekend of May for 112 years.

Paige Hasaballah, QUT News.