Madeleine Ogilvie, Tasmanian Government release terms of reference for harness racing integrity inquiry
Animal welfare conditions at a leading Tasmanian harness racing stable will be under a spotlight as an independent review looks into alleged race fixing and animal abuse within the industry. More details revealed >
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Saturday, April 1: Animal welfare conditions at a leading Tasmanian harness racing stable will be investigated by the Office of Racing Integrity.
The Tasmanian Government has revealed more details around an independent review into matters of alleged team driving and/or race fixing and serious animal welfare concerns relating to the harness racing industry.
As part of that review, an investigation into animal welfare conditions at the Yole Sidmouth racing stables will be undertaken to determine compliance with the Australian Harness Racing Rules.
Minister for Racing Madeleine Ogilvie on Saturday released the Terms of Reference for the independent racing review which will be led by national integrity expert Ray Murrihy.
The review will include investigations into a number of local races over the past three years to determine compliance with the Australian Harness Racing Rules and if any race fixing occurred.
It will also review the adequacy of complaints management by the Office of Racing Integrity over allegations of team driving and/or race fixing in the harness racing industry in the past three years and make any relevant recommendations.
“We are doing all this to ensure Tasmanians can have faith that the welfare of animals is never compromised, and the integrity of the industry is above reproach,” Minister Ogilvie said.
“We instigated the Monteith Review and are fully implementing its recommendations, which includes creating a new Racing Integrity Commissioner with the powers to set integrity and animal welfare standards.
“This work will now be complemented by the Murrihy review, with a report to be provided by 30 June 2023.”
‘Clearly, more needs to be done’: Probe into racing industry
Monday, March 27: An independent inquiry will be held into claims of race fixing and animal abuse in the Tasmanian harness racing industry, Racing Minister Madeleine Ogilvie has announced.
An ABC investigation published on the weekend revealed multiple allegations of “team running” by a dominant player in the local industry affecting the results in some events.
It also raised serious concerns about animal welfare.
Complaints from whistleblowers were not acted upon by the Office of Racing Integrity, the report said.
Ms Ogilvie said terms of reference would be drawn up and an independent head appointed to the inquiry, which will report “as soon as possible”.
“My position and our government’s position is clear: we do not compromise on integrity and animal welfare,” she said.
“That’s why today I’m announcing an independent review into those allegations.
“I won’t be canvassing specific claims raised in the media recently but I can assure you that probity, integrity and animal welfare will always come first.”
The fresh inquiry comes nine months after the release of the Monteith Review into the industry.
“Clearly, more needs to be done. It is time for an independent investigation,” Ms Ogilvie said.
“It’s important that we have the assurance — particularly for the animal welfare side of things and also the probity and integrity side of things — that we have an independent review that will provide the assurance we need in this sector.
“I am very keen on making sure that this government does all it can do in relation to probity, integrity and animal welfare.”
The racing industry generates an estimated $185 million a year in economic activity in
Tasmania and provides employment for almost 6000 people.
Tasracing CEO Andrew Jenkins backed the Minister’s action.
“Integrity is clearly paramount and critical to all codes of racing in Tasmania,” he said.
“So, becoming aware of the allegations via the ABC report, we certainly take notice of that and we were fully supportive of the minister and the government’s approach of commissioning an independent investigation.”
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he had seen the report.
“I’m very concerned about the allegations, I’m very concerned about the damage to the integrity of racing,’ he said.
“I’m very concerned about the allegations around animal welfare as well.
“The racing industry, fundamentally, has to get right. integrity matters and indeed, animal welfare.
“Every single Tasmanian would absolutely expect that — and I expect that as Premier.”
Mr Rockliff said the state did not have a systemic issue with oversight and integrity.
Labor Racing spokesman Dean Winter said Ms Ogilvie was not fit to remain as minister.
“What we need to see is a new minister. It’s clear that this minister isn’t up to the job,” he said.
“Her announcement yesterday that the Office of Racing Integrity should investigate itself just shows she doesn’t understand governance.
“She doesn’t understand the issues that are plaguing the code of harness racing in Tasmania, but racing more broadly.
“She has been told about these issues over and over. She has been told in writing, she’s been told in meetings. She simply has not acted on any of these issues.”
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor agreed.
“What Ms Ogilvie should do as a failed racing minister is resign and if she won’t resign, the Premier Jeremy Rockliff should sack her.
“She has known that the Office of Racing integrity has had very serious allegations of race-fixing put to it and animal neglect.
“The Office of Racing Integrity refused to act. What was this failed Minister’s response.
“She referred the matter to the Office of Racing Integrity to investigate its own failures?”
Labor calls for Racing Minister’s resignation
Racing Minister Madeleine Ogilvie says the Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) will investigate explosive allegations of race fixing in Northern Tasmanian harness racing, amid claims the regulatory body did nothing when concerns were reported, but Labor is calling for heads to roll.
On Sunday the ABC aired concerns around race fixing, following a series of incidents which were reportedly referred to the ORI.
Both the RSPCA and the ORI told the Mercury the Yole stables had not breached any animal welfare standards.
Labor’s racing spokesman Dean Winter said also called for an inquiry into the race-fixing claims.
“This is a racing code in crisis … this is the darkest day for Tasmanian racing in many many years,” he said.
“These allegations are the most serious you can make when it comes to racing and they impact integrity and confidence in racing in Tasmania and across Australia.
“The allegations have been put to the ORI and they have either ignored them or just wished they went away.”
Mr Winter called for the resignation of Racing Minister Madeleine Ogilvie and director of racing Justin Helmich who was appointed in 2021.
“We have senior people in the industry who are speaking out against the office of integrity and by extension, the minister,” he said.
“The minister for racing needs to finally resign and if she doesn’t he premier needs to sack her.”
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said an independent investigation was needed.
“[Racing Minister Madeleine Ogilvie] also needs to explain why for months she’s refused to act on concerns about cheating and animal cruelty in the racing industry,” Ms O’Connor said.
“Both animal welfare advocates and industry participants have been sounding the alarm about the serious problems in racing, but the Minister hasn’t lifted a finger.”
Ms Ogilvie said the allegations were concerning.
“I have now asked ORI to immediately and carefully review the information included in the media report to determine what additional investigations may be required,” she said.
“In relation to specific matters raised in recent days, Tasracing has communicated to industry a proposed equity in participation rule, which will see a limited number of horses able to be entered in predetermined races from any one stable.
“The Office of Racing Integrity will also employ a betting analyst to assist across all three codes of racing, to provide ‘real-time’ access to information to assist stewards in their inquiries, as well as providing the opportunity to proactively review trends in relation to betting on Tasmanian racing.”
Ms Ogilvie said the state government was already taking action to strengthen animal welfare standards.
Ferguson’s fate rests with Independent MPs
Labor have threatened the possibility of a no-confidence motion in the Deputy Premier over the replacement Spirit saga. Here’s whether they will have the support of the parliament.
Read more
HAYDAYS struck out, but what about Party in the Paddock?
After just one year, HAYDAYS has been sacrificed for the future of a longer-running festival, Party in the Paddock. Here’s what the organiser had to say.
Read more