Queensland Racing Integrity Commission’s suitability to handle horse welfare inquiry under attack

State Opposition racing spokesman John Paul Langbroek has questioned the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission’s suitability to oversee the inquiry into the treatment of retired racehorses.

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State Opposition racing spokesman John Paul Langbroek has questioned the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission’s suitability to oversee the inquiry into the treatment of retired racehorses, saying it’s akin to “Caesar judging Caesar”.

On Tuesday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the inquiry was necessary to provide confidence the racing industry was doing everything possible to ensure the welfare of horses.

It is to be headed by retired District Court judge Terry Martin SC, with the support of Australian Veterinary Association representative Dr Peter Reid and overseen by QRIC.

Langbroek said QRIC had “failed abysmally” in overseeing both integrity and welfare standards and its involvement in the inquiry was “inappropriate”.

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State Opposition racing spokesman John Paul Langbroek has hit out at the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission. Picture: AAP

“It is all very well to announce an inquiry, but QRIC already has its focus on its welfare as its aim,” he said. “QRIC is where the trouble started.

“How can QRIC be the solution? QRIC is the problem. It is Caesar judging Caesar.

“Labor is holding an inquiry to clean up the mess that QRIC had a bound duty to know about.”

In parliament on Tuesday, Langbroek said Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe’s description of QRIC delivering strong and effective oversight of racing was like “being in Alice In Wonderland”.

“QRIC is empowered to collaborate with other agencies responsible for investigating and prosecuting animal welfare offences and to promote high standards of integrity and animal welfare and to respond to breaches of the Racing Integrity Act and Racing Act,” he said.

“Despite $30 million a year for almost four years, QRIC has failed.”

Langbroek said the cruelty exposed on last week’s 7.30 Report at a Caboolture abattoir should have been acted on by QRIC officials.

The ABC’s 730 Report shone a light on the slaughter of racehorses at a Caboolture abattoir.

“QRIC’s commissioner said there have been five prior complaints about the Caboolture abattoirs which he said had been investigated and resolved over the past 18 months, and now this at the same place, and this torture has been going on for years,” he said.

Hinchliffe defended the integrity arm, saying QRIC has never had any legislative requirement to administer post racing welfare.

“Despite this, it has acted on every complaint it has received about retired animals,” he said.

“The commission received five complaints about the Caboolture facility, all of which were actioned or referred to the relevant jurisdiction.

Racing minster Stirling Hinchliffe has defended the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.

“We know more can be done, which is why the forum – in which QRIC was instrumental – was held (on Tuesday) and why the Premier has instigated an inquiry.”

Meanwhile, representatives from Thoroughbred Breeders Australia met politicians on Tuesday night, where chief executive Tom Reilly said the racing and breeding industry would be judged by its response to the issues raised on the ABC.

“We have the courage and we have the determination to ensure that we have an industry that we can all be proud of,” Reilly said.