Outgoing Victorian racing integrity boss Sean Carroll calls for action on abuse report recommendations

The outgoing Racing Integrity Commissioner has challenged Victorian racing regulators to “action” his recommendations to ensure a safe working environment for everyone.

Outgoing Racing Integrity Commissioner Sean Carroll has challenged Victorian racing regulators to ensure a safe working environment for all participants.

Carroll, set to become Tasmania’s inaugural RIC from next month, tabled an independent review into Victorian racing industry victim support and complaint processes last year.

Evidence from racing industry victim survivors of physical and sexual abuse, assault and harassment formed the backbone of Carroll’s report.

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Carroll in September 2023 delivered nine recommendations for Racing Victoria, Harness Racing Victoria and Greyhound Racing Victoria to adopt within the next 12 and 18-months.

RV has been best performed to date with four of the nine recommendations completed to the end of June with the remainder ongoing, compared to GRV (three) and HRV (one).

Carroll, in his 2023-24 Annual Report released on Thursday, urged regulators to “action” the items.

“In September 2023, I released my report of the independent review into the Victorian racing industry victim support and complaint processes,” Carroll said.

“It represents a unique opportunity for racing to confront troubling issues that have existed and persist for some of the industry’s most vulnerable and at-risk workers.

“The time for action is now and it is up to all of us to champion change by calling out inappropriate behaviour to ensure a safe environment for everyone in racing.”

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The Commissioner received 142 complaints – up 31 per cent on the previous year – on a range of issues, including animal welfare, conduct, governance and wagering disputes.

Conduct complaints among licensed and registered participants dropped from 59 per cent – from 22 in 2022-23 to nine in 2023-24.

Of the 142 complaints, 33 per cent were finalised via informal resolution and 31 per cent did not fall within the Commissioner’s investigation jurisdiction.

The 21 per cent needed no further action, as another body was already dealing with the issue, while 15 per cent required investigation.

Under the Racing Act, the Commissioner may only investigate complaints about integrity processes and systems, public interest complaints, and matters referred by the Racing Minister, Victorian Racing Integrity Board or controlling body.

Originally published as Outgoing Victorian racing integrity boss Sean Carroll calls for action on abuse report recommendations