Push to quicken racing appeals
STATE Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has conceded Queensland’s appeal process needs to be more efficient and has flagged the possibility of a specialist racing arm within the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
As the racing industry comes to grips with the fall of the nation’s biggest trainer, with Darren Weir being charged and disqualified for four years in the space of a week, integrity in Queensland’s three racing codes have unresolved cases dating back to 2016.
Queensland’s integrity system changed after the 2015 MacSporran inquiry into greyhound live baiting, which made recommendations that led to sweeping changes and the establishment of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC).
The changes included disbanding the old Racing Disciplinary Board (the first level of appeal) in favour of an internal review, after which appellants can go to QCAT.
The increase in cases being referred to QCAT has created a backlog, with 36 cases yet to be heard or determined.
In all but a handful of those, appellants have been granted a stay of proceedings to continue training or riding until the case is determined.
“The feedback I’m getting is that a lot of racing participants feel frustrated about the QCAT appeals process and the length of time it can take to determine cases,” Hinchliffe said.
“I am certainly open to the idea of creating a specialist racing stream within QCAT to hear racing-related appeals.
“Ultimately any changes to QCAT are a matter for the Attorney-General but I’ll work with the A-G towards a racing appeals system that delivers increased certainty for all.”
The highest-profile case in Queensland is that of Ben Currie and his father Mark, emanating from an investigation into Currie’s Toowoomba stables on April 7.
Mark Currie was found guilty by stewards and disqualified for two years in May.
He was granted a stay soon after. His appeal to QCAT is scheduled for May 16 and 17.
Ben Currie, who is seeking a Supreme Court judicial review – which means his cases are yet to be heard by stewards – is facing 28 charges and an additional inquiry into four swab irregularities, two of which relate to horses that have raced while he was training on a stay of proceedings.
Currie was stood down by stewards in June under AR50 that his nominations or acceptances would not be received, but was granted an immediate stay by QCAT.