Minister says second inquiry into racing allegations will be completed ‘soon’

A stewards inquiry into a trainer accused of animal cruelty and race fixing will deliver its findings “soon”, Racing Minister Jane Howlett said.

Ben Yole.

A long-running stewards’ inquiry into a trainer accused of animal cruelty and race fixing will deliver its findings “soon”, Racing Minister Jane Howlett said.

Ms Howlett faced questioning in state parliament on Tuesday after it was revealed Ben Yole’s trainer’s licence had recently been renewed by the Office of Racing Integrity.

Racing Integrity expert Ray Murrihy was appointed in March 2023 to look into the harness racing industry.

He delivered an interim report in September last year and his final findings were handed to the government in November finding Ben Yole had failed to care for an identified horse and, along with Tim Yole, mistreated other horses and that Ben Yole, Nathan Ford and Mitchell Ford had acted together to “improperly advantage horses and disadvantage others in harness races”.

Liberal member for Lyons Jane Howlett. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

They were warned off Tasmanian racetracks by TasRacing but that decision was overturned on appeal.

Fifteen months since the allegations were first aired in the media and nine months since Mr Murrihy’s report was delivered to government, Ms Howlett said the independent stewards’ report would be finished soon.

“As Racing Minister, I will rebuild trust and restore faith in all racing across all three codes,” she said.

“I acknowledge the diligence of the independent stewards and the brave individuals that have come forward during this investigation, and I am looking forward to the panel handing down their final report soon.

“My commitment to this parliament and to the Tasmanian racing community has always been to ensure that those who have done the wrong thing are held to account, without qualification.”

Independent member for Clark Kristie Johnston said she could not believe Mr Yole’s was granted a licence renewal.

“Racing Minister Jane Howlett has blundered yet again in her portfolio by being unable to say when she first learned disgraced harness trainer Ben Yole had his trainer’s licence renewed by the Office of Racing Integrity, and to state whether she believed Mr Yole was a “fit and proper person” to hold such a licence,” she said.

“Today in Question Time I asked these questions twice. She twice failed to answer the question.

“Ms Howlett either doesn’t know, which means she has no grip on her portfolio.”

Independent member for Clark Kristie Johnston. Picture: Chris Kidd

And Greens animal justice spokeswoman Cassy O’Connor said it was taking too long to get an outcome in the case.

“The decision by the Office of Racing Integrity to renew harness racing trainer Ben Yole’s licence is appalling and insulting to all Tasmanians who want strong animal welfare standards in the racing industries,” she said.

“This, and the Minister for Racing’s pathetic response in parliament today, are yet another reminder of how sick this industry is.

“The months-long Murrihy Review made a number of adverse findings about Ben Yole. These findings should have been more than enough evidence for ORI to reject — or at least delay — Mr Yole’s application to renew his trainer’s licence.

“Instead, they gave him the rubber stamp. The more things changes with this cruel industry, the more things stay exactly the same.”