‘Justice prevails' as ICAC report withdrawal ‘vindicates’ Darwin Turf Club, new chairman says

‘Justice has prevailed’ after the Darwin Turf Club was ‘vindicated’ by the permanent withdrawal of an ICAC report into its former board, the club’s current chairman has said.

“JUSTICE has prevailed” after the Darwin Turf Club was “vindicated” by the permanent withdrawal of an ICAC report into alleged “unsatisfactory conduct” by its former board, the club’s current chairman has said.

Richard O’Sullivan, who took over the role in the fallout from former Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Ken Fleming QC’s report last year, said its dumping “provides a clean slate for the future of the DTC”.

“In our view, justice has prevailed, the Darwin Turf Club and it’s outstanding reputation have been vindicated and we can now concentrate on providing a top level carnival, including the greatest tourism event in the NT, the Darwin Cup,” he said.

Darwin Turf Club chairman Richard O'Sullivan.

“The finding of the ICAC report was that the DTC had engaged in unsatisfactory conduct, unsatisfactory conduct is at the lower end of the scale and it is our contention that this was totally unwarranted, and slighted the outstanding members of the club, both the voluntary board and the hard working management and staff employed by the Turf Club.”

Mr O’Sullivan also reiterated his serious concerns about a Territory Government plan to divert half of the $12m grandstand grant funding at the centre of the report away from the DTC.

“We thought the threat of the $12m claw back was totally unjustified at the outset, and we are still totally dissatisfied with the recently announced solution proffered by the Minister for Racing,” he said.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Racing Minister Chansey Paech said the Territory government “values the racing industry’s important social, sporting and economic contribution”.

“We also knew a line in the sand needed to be drawn when it comes to the ongoing issues with the Darwin Turf Club,” he said.

“A new offer has been made to the club, that replaces the previous directions to repay the $12 million grant.

“This is an opportunity for the NTG, (Turf Racing NT) and the Darwin Turf Club to all move together in the right direction.”

Originally published as ‘Justice prevails' as ICAC report withdrawal ‘vindicates’ Darwin Turf Club, new chairman says