Former Office of Racing Integrity director Justin Helmich gives evidence to parliamentary inquiry

‘In any other workplace, such circumstances would likely be considered to be bullying or occupational violence.’ A former Office of Racing Integrity director has sounded off on his experience in the role during an inquiry.

MERCURY TASMANIA, SPORT, HARNESS RACING, PETER STAPLES COLUMN, OCTOBER 27, 2018. James Austin drives Long Ago through a gap to win the opening event in Hobart last night.

Former Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) director Justin Helmich has told a parliamentary inquiry that he and his colleagues were not given procedural fairness when allegations of misconduct in the harness industry first emerged, saying it was akin to workplace bullying or occupational violence.

Mr Helmich gave evidence during the inquiry into the Tasmanian government’s response to serious allegations within harness racing on Friday.

During his tenure from September 2021 to December 2023, the harness industry was rocked by allegations of team driving, race fixing and animal cruelty.

Following the release of the Murrihy Report in January 2024, which upheld many of the claims, the ORI was abolished.

Budget Estimates, NRE Secretary Jason Jacobi and Director of Racing Justin Helmich. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Helmich told the parliamentary inquiry on Friday he believed he and his team at the ORI did their jobs well.

“My time at ORI ended at the end of 2023 when I chose not to seek another contract due to the ongoing impact of the inquiries upon my young family over the duration of the inquiries,” he said.

“I consider that myself and other members of ORI were not afforded procedural fairness in relation to allegations made.

“These matters played out publicly and in the media, and in any other workplace, such circumstances would likely be considered to be bullying or occupational violence.”

Former Office of Racing Integrity directors of racing Justin Helmich and Ash Rushton. Picture: Facebook

Before taking on the role at ORI, Mr Helmich described his involvement in racing as “low.”

“I don’t consider that experience in racing was required to undertaking the role of general manager of ORI or the director of racing,” he said.

“The importance around the role, from my perspective, is the capacity to undertake regulatory activities.”

Mr Helmich defended his decision to remove steward Janet Ainscow from the harness racing roster after she aired allegations against prominent trainer Ben Yole.

“It’s my view that a conflict of interest was enlivened as soon as Ms Ainscow made the decision to post on social media in relation to the Ben Yole Racing Stables.

“The fact that she is a direct neighbour exacerbates that issue. It was my decision, and in my view, it was the correct decision.”

Labor leader Dean Winter. Tasmanian Government's response to serious allegations within harness racing public hearing. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tasmanian Labor Leader Dean Winter, a member of the inquiry committee, said he had concerns about the circumstances around Ms Ainscow’s removal.

“If you sit down every steward who raised concerns about the operations of someone in racing, you’d be standing down pretty much every steward from the code,” Mr Winter said.

“So it seems to me that she was punished for raising the concern about the animal welfare conditions, and everyone could see – certainly the public could see – that conditions were extremely poor.

“And so the person who complains about those conditions is stood down from their role, and the person who actually enables and creates those conditions was able to continue to operate in the industry for a considerable time afterwards.”

Mr Helmich responded by saying he was merely following the framework he was required to in his role.

Originally published as Former Office of Racing Integrity director Justin Helmich gives evidence to parliamentary inquiry