Ex-ATC boss Matt McGrath to lead major review of Queensland racing industry

EXCLUSIVE: The first details of the much anticipated review into Queensland’s racing industry can be revealed.

Ex-Australian Turf Club chairman Matt McGrath will head up the much anticipated review into Queensland’s racing industry, with Racing Minister Tim Mander to announce the release of a key discussion paper on Saturday.

The first details of the review into racing in Queensland can be revealed, which comes four months after the David Crisafulli Government was elected last October.

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Mander will on Saturday at Eagle Farm announce a discussion paper to inform the review, which he claims will be the most comprehensive review into racing in Queensland in a quarter of a century.

The review will examine how to ensure the long-term sustainability of thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing across Queensland.

It comes at a time of upheaval, with popular Racing Queensland boss Jason Scott resigning in January and Peter Gleeson’s whirlwind stint as chief executive of the newly formed Queensland Greyhound Racing Club over after he resigned from his post.

Scott has been seconded to take control of the QGRC ahead of the opening of the state of the art The Q facility in May.

Mander has not confirmed who will head the review into the Queensland racing industry but it will be McGrath.

Former ATC chairman Matt McGrath (left) will head the review into Queensland racing. Picture: Justin Lloyd

McGrath was a former Australian Turf Club chairman and is a director of the Cronulla Sharks in the NRL.

Mander’s announcement of the discussion paper on Saturday, which will be open for input until March 30, is a key plank of establishing the focus of the review.

“We committed to a review into all aspects of racing, and this discussion paper is the first step,” Mander told News Corp.

“The racing industry is a major contributor to the state’s economy, an important employer for many hardworking Queenslanders and is at the heart of communities right across Queensland.

“From our biggest cities to our smallest and most remote towns, racing brings our communities together.

“We want to ensure the long-term financial stability, viability, and integrity of racing in the state.

“I will be encouraging all stakeholders and participants to have their say and play an active role in this process to ensure a prosperous future for the industry.”

Racing Minister Tim Mander will announce the review on Saturday.

One of the priorities of the review will be to further strengthen the integrity of Queensland’s racing industry and it follows on from a review into the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission which was ordered by former Racing Minister Grace Grace in 2023.

The results of that review, which cost more than $500,000, were never made public.

Former QRIC Commissioner Shane Gillard resigned in June last year after the Government-ordered review put the commission’s workplace culture and management under the microscope.

There has since been a new QRIC leadership team installed, featuring former Paralympics Australia CEO Catherine Clark and vastly respected former Hong Kong chief steward Kim Kelly.

The review into racing in Queensland will look at the recommending the steps that need to be taken to deliver modern and fit for purpose infrastructure and safeguard the ongoing strength and success of country racing.