Secret KPMG review into Queensland Racing Integrity Commission cost more than $500,000

An independent review into the operations of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission has cost tax payers more than $500,000, it was revealed in parliament.

Queensland Racing Minister revealed the review into QRIC cost $510,000. Picture: Liam Kidston.

A yet-to-be-released independent review into Queensland racing’s integrity commission cost more than half a million dollars, with Racing Minister Grace Grace admitting she has had the report since May 3.

Grace declared the $510,000 price tag for the much touted KPMG review for the first time in a Queensland Parliament Estimates hearing on Wednesday, with the minister saying it was good value for money.

Former Queensland Racing Integrity Commission commissioner Shane Gillard resigned after the review was handed down, while his deputy Natalie Conner also resigned while it was being conducted.

• Orman hasn’t given up catching Pike for national title

Following questions from opposition racing spokesman Tim Mander, Grace admitted there were problems within QRIC, but said they would come out with the review.

“Being honest, there were a number of issues being raised with me by stakeholders and I implemented that (review) straight away when they were raised with me, it has been a very good review by KPMG,” she said.

“It was a comprehensive review, money well spent.

“QRIC has been in operation since 2018 and it was timely for a review.”

Grace says the review will be released shortly. Picture: NewsWire/John Gass

Grace said she expects the review to be made public “very soon”, but would not say whether Gillard’s sudden resignation was a result of the findings of the review.

“I don’t want to comment on that, Mr Gillard decided he would resign and he has resigned,” she said.

• ‘I'll pay for the water’: Track twist surfaces ahead of Fab’s farewell

“There are issues that were raised, which we will be looking at addressing, there is no doubt about that.

“We wanted to make sure that everyone who contributed to the review had the confidentiality to do that because we interviewed past and present employees.

“We are looking at what part of that we can put out without breaching their confidentiality.

“We hope to make it public very soon.”

It comes as next Saturday’s August 3 Eagle Farm meeting was officially moved across the road to Doomben after jockeys pulled their support for the track due to concerns with the construction of a set of apartments on the home turn.

Racing Queensland chief executive Jason Scott confirmed steps were being taken to mitigate the concerns by jockeys to get racing back at Eagle Farm.

The estimates committee also heard $251 million was returned to Racing Queensland in the 2023-24 financial year as a result of the state’s Point of Consumption Tax.

Originally published as Secret KPMG review into Queensland Racing Integrity Commission cost more than $500,000