Race industry scrutiny
THE body responsible for overseeing the integrity of the state’s racing industry is wracked by high staff turnover and several senior officials are under investigation, parliament has heard.
The state government announced earlier this week that it would review the Racing
Regulation Act 2004 to ensure good governance.
But the Tasmanian Racing Club, Tasmanian Trotting Club and the Hobart Greyhound Racing Club have all called for the review to be broadened to include Tasracing.
THE body responsible for overseeing the integrity of the state’s racing industry is wracked by high staff turnover and several senior officials are under investigation, parliament has heard.
The Tasmanian government has announced a review of the Racing Regulation Act 2004.
“This review will be an important step to ensure that the governance and integrity model in Tasmania is effective in delivering probity and integrity,” Racing Minister Jane Howlett said.
But the Tasmanian Racing Club, Tasmanian Trotting Club and the Hobart Greyhound Racing Club have all called for the review to be broadened to include Tasracing.
“We firmly believe that the best interests of the Tasmanian racing industry would be better served if the review was broadened to include Tasracing,” the groups said.
“In our view, a review of only the Racing Regulation Act 2004, will not deliver the transformative structural change that the Tasmanian racing industry so desperately needs.”
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment secretary Tim Baker confirmed an investigation was under way into “alleged conduct issues relating to the former acting general manager of the Office of Racing Integrity”.
“Mr Tony Latham will remain a DPIPWE employee but will not return to the Office of Racing Integrity while the investigation is under way,” Mr Baker said.
“Given that an active investigation is under way, the department will not be making any further comment on this matter.”
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the Office of Racing Integrity was in “disarray” with high staff turnover, morale at an all-time low and question marks over the conduct of several senior officials.
“It’s pretty clear to the casual observer and to the Greens that the Office of Racing Integrity is broken, and it’s been broken on the Liberal government’s watch,” she said.
“We’ve got here an integrity authority in which the Greens can no longer have confidence. we believe there’s a high level of distrust within the community now about the way the Office of Racing Integrity is being run.
“While all of this is happening … animals are dying on the track or near the track as a result of the cruelty inherent in the racing industry.”
Labor’s Dean Winter said industry insiders were troubled and it was time for the minister to act decisively.
“We have an Office of Racing Integrity that is in turmoil,” he said.
“There are allegations of corruption that are very serious and a minister who is refusing to answer questions in the parliament and appears to be reluctant to do anything at all. All that’s been announced so far is a very simple review of the Act.
“It needs to go further. We need to have a full review of the Office of Racing Integrity and also of Tasracing.”
Ms Howlett said she was committed to a review of the governing legislation.
“As the Minister for Racing, I love the racing industry,” she said.
“The government is a very strong supporter of the Tasmanian racing industry.”