Political payback fear with race boss axings
Premier seeks clean slate after live-baiting report
KEVIN Dixon accepted the axe falling on his tenure as Racing Queensland chairman yesterday, but requested governments make future decisions based on the best interests of the industry and not political retribution.
Dixon, along with all other members of the All Codes Racing Industry Board, Greyhound, Harness and Thoroughbred racing boards were all sacked yesterday in an announcement made to Parliament by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Dixon was told of his axing by Racing Minister Bill Byrne’s chief of staff, Elliot Stein, at the same time the Premier was making her announcement to Parliament.
The removal of the boards was in response to the report into live baiting from the Commission of Inquiry, headed by Alan MacSporran QC.
“It is clear that Racing Queensland has failed, and that started with the boards,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
“Today we are starting a clean slate. We have appointed Mr Ian Hall from KPMG to advise on implementation of interim administrative arrangements and to ensure effective ongoing management of Racing Queensland.”
The Premier described Racing Queensland’s regulation of the industry as “dubious” and one that failed to adhere to “simple compliance measures.”
Dixon took aim at the Commission recommendations and the Government’s actions, saying they “cannot be construed in any light other than political retribution”.
“Myself and the board accept the Government’s right to select those they believe to have the skills and interest to take the industry forward, but there is no reasoned argument by the commissioner as to why the current board structure could not continue once the integrity unity was separated,” Dixon said.
“It is our fear that the industry riddled with the fear, retribution and loathing that was present when the current board was appointed, will now be allowed to return.
“The 40,000 Queenslanders who rely on this industry for their livelihood must be given confidence that their interests are at the heart of all decisions.”
Dixon accepted the All Codes and Greyhound boards had to accept responsibility for live baiting being exposed on their watch but stressed the “endemic problems in the greyhound industry was not commenced, countenanced or condoned by Racing Queensland, its management or board in anyway.”
“The covert problems appear to have been in existence for decades and across the nation, and successive administrations in Queensland and elsewhere have not acted to rid the industry of such practices,” he said.