Racing Minister steps in over legal dispute between SAJC and members, which includes seriously ill member of the public
Sport Minister Corey Wingard has spoken out about the ugly legal dispute between the SAJC and some of its own members, which includes a seriously ill member of the public.
West & Beaches
Don't miss out on the headlines from West & Beaches. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The state’s Sport Minister has questioned the management of the racing industry after a seriously ill woman was dragged into an ugly legal dispute between the South Australian Jockey Club and several prominent members.
Corey Wingard, also the Minister for Racing, was responding to news the SAJC has received court injunctions against life members Bill Spear and Joe Cannizzaro, current board member Kevin Harrison and his wife, Anne Harrison.
Mrs Harrison, who is widely known to have been unwell for some time and receiving chemotherapy, is not a member of the SAJC.
“I am concerned at the suggestion that a woman who has cancer has been brought into this dispute,” Mr Wingard told The Messenger.
“We have had concerns with the management of some aspects of the racing industry.
“That is why we ensured key governance requirements were included in our $24 million stimulus package to the industry.”
The Advertiser last week revealed the Marshall Government had appointed Amanda Vanstone, Andrea Slattery and Tony Shepherd to a five-member panel that will determine directors of Thoroughbred Racing SA, which runs the sport.
The Government insisted on the new process to select TRSA board members as a condition of its rescue package to try to raise the overall standard of the sport’s administration.
The Messenger understands high-level crisis talks have taken place to mediate over the SAJC’s legal action, in an attempt to lessen any ongoing damage to the racing industry.
At least three of nine SAJC board directors were unaware the club was taking legal action against members.
Documents lodged with the court show the four defendants are restrained from disclosing the plaintiff’s (SAJC’s) “confidential information”.
An affidavit by SAJC CEO Grant Mayer has been sealed by the court as being “commercial in confidence”.
In a statement to members on Saturday, Mr Mayer, who has been SAJC CEO for two years since moving from Adelaide United, said a board member had been disciplined by the club.
“This decision follows an investigation conducted by an external organisation commissioned by the club to examine allegations of improper conduct relating to dissemination of highly confidential and highly sensitive board materials to third parties,” the statement reads.
Mr Harrison, who was excluded from a board meeting last week, said he had not been notified of any disciplinary action against him.
He said he would defend his name and that of his wife’s “vigorously” when given the opportunity.
Mr Spear, who was the central figure in exposing the SAJC board election scandal of 2008, said he was “shocked and frustrated” by the “heavy-handed” approach by his club.
He said he considered the legal action to be a “gag” to stop him and others questioning the financial commitments and position of the club.
MORE NEWS:
Big corporate names on new racing panel
Councils duped for thousands in internet scam
Military veteran mental health unit under investigation
The court case was adjourned with a further hearing scheduled for Tuesday, September 17.
It is not known if Mr Cannizzaro will attend the hearing because he is currently in Bali where his wife Annette is in hospital after a stroke, suffered while on holiday.
A family friend said the two matters were “probably not unrelated” as the legal action had caused “considerable stress”.
TRSA chair Frances Nelson, QC, said the matter was “strictly for the SAJC and its members.”