Minister warned Greyhound Racing NSW over CEO ‘conflict of interest’

Racing Minister David Harris warned the Greyhound Racing NSW chairman a plan to appoint the sport’s regulator as their chief executive risked creating a conflict of interest and could damage the scandal-prone industry’s reputation.

But despite the high-level intervention, Greyhound Racing NSW pushed ahead with appointing Steve Griffin to the role.

Greyhound Racing NSW have defended appointing the former head of their industry’s welfare body as its new CEO.Credit: Louise Kennerley

Griffin, who stepped into the job at the beginning of this month, had been the CEO of the industry’s notional regulator, the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission .

His appointment raised serious concerns at the time, with both Greens and Animal Justice Party MPs questioning whether it was appropriate for the head of the integrity body to immediately step into a post running the industry.

The appointment coincided with an ongoing investigation into serious allegations of animal cruelty made against the greyhound industry. The inquiry is being run by former Law Enforcement Conduct Commission executive Lea Drake, and is due to report its findings next month.

“What does it say to the public when, right in the middle of an inquiry literally investigating the welfare and care of greyhounds by GRNSW, the head of the statutory body tasked with ensuring greyhound welfare and integrity jumps right over into a cushy job at the body being investigated,” Greens MP Abigail Boyd said.

GRNSW has defended the appointment. A spokesman said Griffin was chosen because he had “the right mix of senior public service experience, animal welfare oversight and understanding of the greyhound racing industry”.

The spokesman argued there was “no conflict of interest between moving from GWIC to GRNSW” because the greyhound welfare and integrity body “does not regulate GRNSW, but greyhound racing participants only”.

But warnings were also issued by the minister responsible for overseeing the sport, who raised concerns about probity measures put in place in the lead-up to Griffin’s appointment.

A series of letters sent by Racing Minister David Harris to GRNSW chairman Adam Casselden and GWIC chief commissioner Alby Taylor reveal Harris demanded an explanation after he found out Griffin was under consideration for the role.

NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris.Credit: Nikki Short

On December 20, Harris wrote to Casselden saying he was concerned about the possibility an “actual, potential or perceived” conflict of interest could arise given Griffin was being considered for the role while still head of the welfare body.

“I am concerned that if this potential conflict of interest is not avoided, or appropriately managed, that it has the potential to adversely affect the reputation or integrity of GRNSW, the commission or the greyhound racing industry more broadly,” he wrote.

Whether those concerns were heeded is unclear. In a separate letter in February to Taylor, Harris referred to “strategies put in place” by the welfare and integrity body to handle any conflict of interest.

The minister said he was concerned those measures, which he noted had only been in place since January 22, “may not adequately address risks to GWIC, GRNSW and the greyhound racing industry more broadly”.

Harris asked Taylor a series of questions, including when Griffin first met with and presented to the GRNSW selection panel, and whether he had informed anyone at the welfare and integrity body of the contents of his presentation.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for GWIC said it “was satisfied that every possible measure to address any potential conflict of interest was taken”, saying it took steps to avoid any possible conflict after Griffin advised the body he was the preferred candidate for the GRNSW job.

‘If this potential conflict of interest is not avoided … it has the potential to adversely affect the reputation or integrity of GRNSW.’

Racing Minister David Harris

“Mr Griffin was effectively stood down from his duties as the commission’s CEO and specifically instructed not to make any external communications with, or have an involvement in matters relating to, Greyhound Racing NSW,” the spokeswoman said.

The GRNSW spokesman also said as well as stepping down from the GWIC role, Griffin “has also sought further advice from the NSW Public Service Commissioner on what additional measures, if any, should be put in place to further reduce perception of a conflict of interest”.

“Mr Griffin will put in place whatever additional measures the NSW Public Service Commissioner recommends,” he said.

In his correspondence with Casselden and Taylor, Harris noted he was unable to direct them on how to act. He said in a statement that the appointment of the GRNSW chief executive was a “responsibility of its board”.

“Greyhound Racing NSW and the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission both operate independently of government,” he said.

“The minister wrote to Greyhound Racing NSW and the regulator outlining his expectations that any conflict of interest is appropriately managed.”

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.