Darwin Racing industry under review as Darwin Turf Club chief executive could be replaced

The NT Government is reviewing the Territory racing industry amid a restructure that could see a key position at the Darwin Turf Club replaced. Read what’s happening.

The Darwin Turf Club grandstand at theFannie Bay Racecourse. Picture: Che Chorley

The Northern Territory government is reviewing the Territory racing industry amid a restructure that could see Darwin Turf Club’s chief executive officer replaced.

AP2 Advisory Pty Ltd was awarded the contract at a cost of $110,000, with the review expected to be completed in the first half of the year.

It is at least the third such review into the NT’s racing industry in the last decade, with the last CLP government commissioning the Monteith Report and then Labor’s 2018 HWL Ebsworth review into the NT’s Racing and Betting Act.

In addition, former Racing Minister Chansey Paech announced changed funding arrangements to the industry after Labor wrongly punished Darwin Turf Club for building the government commissioned grandstand at Fannie Bay on time and on budget.

Darwin Turf Club chief executive Grant Dewsbury said the latest review was sensible due diligence from the new government.

Grant Dewsbury CEO of Turf Club and Lisa Dewsbury at the 2023 Top End Racing Awards, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“The new government hasn’t been in power for some time so they’re looking at the industry as a whole,” Mr Dewsbury said.

“The investigation is funded by the NT Government and is warranted.

“Both the Darwin Turf Club and Thoroughbred Racing NT have been in front of the Racing Minister talking about this review.

“It’s a review of the whole industry and the funding model the CLP have taken over.

“It’s a current 10-year agreement so there was some changes to the current funding model after the ICAC investigation so it’s probably about time the government did review the relationship and the funding model holistically from a racing perspective.”

The government has opened up the chief executive’s role for applications, with Mr Dewsbury undecided whether he will recontest the role.

Mr Dewsbury took on the role in July 2022 after serving as the chief financial officer in a period of great turmoil at the Darwin Turf Club.

He took over from previous chief executive Brad Morgan who resigned from the role in March 2022, following an ICAC report accusing the club of ‘corrupt conduct’.

Racing Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said the CLP government had initiated the review to be fiscally responsible.

“The CLP government, together with the NT Racing Industry (NTRI), have initiated a strategic and operational review of the NTRI,” she said.

“We are being fiscally responsible, which Territorians expect of our government.

“With the closure of horse racing tracks in Singapore and Macau, we must create opportunities to grow the racing industry.

“This will drive economic sustainability, boost tourism, and enhance lifestyle benefits for the Territory.”