Alarm bells ringing for Racing Queensland over Integrity Bill

RACING Queensland’s submission to the committee presiding over the inquiry into the Racing Integrity Bill has flagged concerns over the funding of the new integrity commission.

Jim Byrne winning Race 7 on "Tina Melina" with Tegan Harrison a close second on "Sheiswhatsheis" at Doomben Races. Pics Tara Croser.

RACING Queensland’s submission to the committee presiding over the inquiry into the Racing Integrity Bill has flagged concerns over the funding of the new integrity commission.

The public hearing for the inquiry into the Racing Integrity Bill will be held on Wednesday before the legislation is debated in parliament next month.

The bill will establish a new Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) and also create a new seven-person board of Racing Queensland.

The Agriculture and Environment Committee has published 145 submissions made with respect to the bill from a range of industry participants across three codes and also from anti-racing groups.

Opponents are hoping to have the bill amended or withdrawn.

While RQ’s submission was mostly accepting of the new bill, it stated that clause 56 in respect to QRIC had the potential to “result in a lack of transparency in the funding process and expose the control body and the racing industry to unnecessary financial uncertainty”.

“There could be significant budgeting and/or cash flow implications for the RQB (Racing Queensland Board) and the industry if it was to be invoiced for significant amounts of funding without sufficient notice,” RQ’s submission said.

“Racing Queensland considers that there needs to be a more transparent process for the provision of ongoing funding which ensures that the independence of QRIC is maintained whilst also providing the RQB with some ­certainty in respect of funding levels.”

Submissions were also made by jockeys, including multiple premiership winner Larry Cassidy and internationally renowned hoop Robbie Fradd.

“This proposed Bill has had no stakeholder input and if it is adopted, yet again industry participants will have to live with ill-informed people making policy and decisions on vital matters relating to the integrity of this industry,” the pair wrote.

“There needs to be far more industry consultation, where the participants can assist the integrity commission with regards to best practice that will result in best outcome.

“We as participants are the ones who most want the ­industry held in the highest ­regard.”

Queensland Racing Industry Unity Group chairman Ian McCauley will submit that the process to get to this point of the bill has not been adequate in terms of consultation.

“This should be viewed as an opportunity to get this right, having a proper debate in a bipartisan way and seeking input from other states on their own strengths and weaknesses,” McCauley said.

“It will take time, but there’s never going to be a better chance to get this right.”

Speakers at Wednesday’s hearing will include representatives from all three codes of racing.

Originally published as Alarm bells ringing for Racing Queensland over Integrity Bill