‘Complete mess’: Tasmania’s new director of racing Ash Rushton quits prior to commencement date

Tasmania’s eighth director of racing in seven years has withdrawn before even getting onto the field, with Labor racing spokesman Dean Winter launching a withering attack on the government’s handling of the industry.

Former Office of Racing Integrity directors of racing Justin Helmich and Ash Rushton. Picture: Facebook

Tasmania’s newly appointed director of racing, the state’s eighth in seven years, has sensationally withdrawn his acceptance of the role, which is fast becoming a poison chalice for public service managers.

The appointment of Ash Rushton, a long-serving regional manager and project director for the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment’s (NRE) Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) was announced on December 15.

Mr Rushton was due to commence on Boxing Day.

Instead, ORI has been forced to appoint a ninth director of racing in seven years, a move first revealed by Labor racing spokesman Dean Winter MP and confirmed by NRE.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mr Rushton has had to withdraw from the role as general manager and director of racing prior to his commencement date,” an NRE spokeswoman said.

Robin Thompson has been appointed in the interim to the role vacated by Mr Rushton, with NRE to initiate a new recruitment process in the new year for a full-time replacement.

According to the spokeswoman, Mr Thompson is currently the manager of Game Services Tasmania.

“He is a highly experienced regulatory and compliance officer who has previously acted as GM of the Office of Racing Integrity,” the spokeswoman said.

Mr Winter was scathing at news another director had been burnt through.

Dean Winter Labor member for Franklin. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“The eighth director of racing in seven years has already left, quitting on the day he was supposed to start,” Mr Winter claimed.

“What is left is a complete mess. The ninth director of racing also has no experience in racing, working in agricultural policy before being tasked with keeping the racing industry together through its most important period.

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“His only experience is having stepped into the role during previous controversies.

“Where is Felix Ellis?

“This is the third appointment of a director of racing in three months and he has not made a statement about any of them.

“He has now had the Murrihy Review for a month and appears determined to not release it.

“Just how bad must it be?”

Mr Rushton, like his predecessor a former Tasmania Police officer, replaced Justin Helmich, who quit just a few months after his contract was extended without announcement.

In a statement released later on Thursday, Mr Ellis, the Minister for Racing, accused Mr Winter of crying crocodile tears.

“Mr Winter hasn’t asked a single racing question in Question Time since I came into the role, hasn’t taken up a briefing on our new legislation for months and seems more interested in parroting Greens talking points on racing and attacking public servants, than the long-term future of the racing community,” Mr Ellis said.

“On racing it’s become clear his approach is all sook, no substance.”

Mr Ellis thanked Mr Rushton for putting his hand up.

“As leaders, we should all be understanding when people need to withdraw from roles due to unforeseen circumstances,” he said.