SAJC court case against its own members continues behind closed doors in the District Court
Court action by the SA Jockey Club against its own members has continued – behind closed doors in the District Court.
West & Beaches
Don't miss out on the headlines from West & Beaches. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Court action by the South Australian Jockey Club against three club members took a further step forward yesterday.
The details of the case remain undisclosed because the courtroom was closed for most of the proceedings.
The SAJC is taking action in front of Justice Soulio in the District Court against former board member Kevin Harrison, and Joe Cannizzaro and Bill Spear, who are both life members of the racing club based at Morphettville racecourse.
Mr Harrison’s wife Anne Harrison is the fourth person named in the action but is not a SAJC member.
The defendants sought yesterday to cross-examine SAJC chief executive Grant Mayer over an affidavit lodged with the court.
Michael Roder QC for the plaintiff requested discussions around the detail and nature of the cross examination should be closed to the public.
Andrew Harris QC for the defendants took no stand, while Justice Soulio cleared the court citing the Evidence Act, Section 69 (1): “Where a court considers it desirable in the interests of the administration of justice, or in order to prevent hardship or embarrassment to any person …”
Mr Mayer, who has previously said the court action was over “an issue of governance”, was also excluded from the court.
Mr Spear, who first came to public prominence as the whistleblower who took the SAJC to the Supreme Court over vote-stacking at its 2008 board election, was the only defendant in court.
The other three defendants are travelling overseas.
In an Advertiser report in July, Mr Spear revealed the club’s “secret” plans for a $400 million 12-storey residential and retail development at Morphettville.
After four hours of debate on whether Mr Mayer would face cross-examination, the matter was concluded.
The Advertiser is unaware of the outcome.