Former GRV Integrity boss Shane Gillard confirmed as QRIC commissioner

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission will finally have a permanent commissioner after Ross Barnett stepped down from the role 12 months ago.

Shane Gillard will take over the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission. Picture: Supplied

Greyhound Racing Victoria integrity top dog Shane Gillard has been confirmed as the new boss of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk finally signed off on the appointment on Thursday.

As first reported by News Corp on November 9, Gillard will become the first permanent QRIC commissioner in almost a year after former boss Ross Barnett departed in December 2020 to head up an inquiry into serious war crimes.

Acting commissioners Mark Ainsworth and Paul Brown have filled the role until present.

After the racing industry requested a leader who had previous racing experience, Palaszczuk said Gillard ticked all the boxes to head up QRIC.

“Mr Gillard comes with significant and relevant industry experience,” she said.

“I am pleased that this appointment will continue to ensure racing in Queensland is fair and goes from strength to strength.”

After applications for the job closed in June, Racing Minister Grace Grace said Gillard’s appointment would give participants certainty.

“I look forward to working with Mr Gillard, particularly in continuing to deliver a racing industry for all codes that gives all participants the best industry we can have across all Queensland,” she said.

Gillard joins QRIC at an important time with the integrity watchdog left reeling from Darrel Graham’s not guilty verdict following a six-and-a-half year battle over cobalt charges.

The industry is also demanding urgent changes to the farcical appeals system which former Minister Stirling Hinchliffe vowed to fix several years ago.

Originally published as Former GRV Integrity boss Shane Gillard confirmed as QRIC commissioner