Queensland stewards and integrity officials set to gather for ‘line in the sand’ conference

Queensland integrity officials from around the state will gather in Brisbane on Monday in what has been described as a “line in the sand” moment for QRIC.

Queensland stewards and integrity officials from around the state will gather for a conference in Brisbane on Monday in what deputy commissioner Kim Kelly describes as a “line in the sand” moment for the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.

QRIC – an independent statutory body which oversees integrity and welfare of racing animals and participants – was established in 2016 in the wake of the greyhound live baiting scandal.

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But it has faced plenty of troubled times in its history and at times the racing industry has lost total confidence in the organisation.

A new QRIC leadership team appointed last September is aiming to restore confidence and has made positive steps.

Kelly, the respected former Hong Kong chief steward, said the QRIC leadership has called all stewards and QRIC staff from around the state to Brisbane for a conference on Monday.

It is a rare opportunity in a day with no thoroughbred meetings and only one harness meeting.

Queensland Racing Minister Tim Mander will open the conference at Doomben.

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“It is a perfect opportunity for stewards and indeed the whole QRIC staff from around the state to come together under the relatively new leadership team and discuss important matters,” Kelly said.

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission leadership team. Commissioner Catherine Clark (front) and deputy commissioners Kim Kelly (left) and Chantal Raine (centre). Picture: Supplied

“It may be a conference, but it is also a line in the sand moment for the organisation going forward.

“In November we started a process in regards to a strategic plan for the organisation, off the back of a lot of consultation.

“The strategic plan is basically a staff statement about what the organisation is about, what our purpose is and what the industry can expect from us going forward.”

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QRIC Commissioner Catherine Clark will also be at the conference along with deputy commissioner Chantal Raine.

Kelly will host an afternoon session with the stewards from the three racing codes around the state.

“We will talk about matters of rule application, consistency in rulings across the state and my expectations of stewards and the role that they play,” Kelly said.

“For me, personally, that will be a particular highlight.”

Originally published as Queensland stewards and integrity officials set to gather for ‘line in the sand’ conference