Greyhound adoption program manager Lianne Salerno sacked by Tasracing

The recently sacked manager of the Greyhound Adoption Program is considering legal action after what she alleges has been a sustained campaign of bullying by her employer.

Lianne Salerno, the former manager of the Greyhound Adoption Program, with Clifford. Picture Eddie Safarik

The recently sacked manager of Tasmania’s Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) says she is considering taking Tasracing to the Fair Work Commission after what she alleges has been a sustained campaign of bullying and harassment by her employer.

Lianne Salerno, who was appointed to lead the greyhound racers’ re-homing program in 2021, was preparing to return to her role after an extended period of defence leave when she was formally dismissed by Tasracing chief executive Andrew Jenkins on Thursday.

While Mr Jenkins told the Mercury that Tasracing did not comment on employment matters relating to individual employees, Ms Salerno said that her workplace troubles began last February, after she voiced concerns about the state of the GAP facilities and Tasracing’s commitment to the program generally.

Andrew Jenkins Tasracing CEO. GBE hearing with Tasracing. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

From that point, Ms Salerno said, her workplace became a toxic environment with senior figures actively pushing for her exit from the organisation.

Ms Salerno said the pressure of what she described as “an ongoing saga” had been relentless.

“At times, they were trying to coerce me to resign, suggesting my values did not align with Tasracing,” she said.

“I also had a neutral stance as the GAP manager on racing, I wasn’t pro or anti racing, and that became an issue.”

Ms Salerno said that she was eventually forced to take a period of sick leave, during which time changes were suggested to GAP operations including the euthanasia of greyhounds in the program.

Determined to stay on as manager, but needing time away from the political machinations at play, Ms Salerno began what she originally intended to be just one month’s defence leave, only to learn that former GAP manager Susan Gittus had been appointed to the role on an interim basis.

Greyhound handler Susan Gittus with Ferdinand Boy.

In January this year, after a longer than anticipated time on defence leave, Ms Salerno informed Tasracing that she was ready to return to her substantive role as GAP manager, only to be told that she had been suspended on full pay.

“Finally, on Thursday, they issued me with a termination letter,” Ms Salerno said.

“It was basically a witch hunt. They wanted me out, and they now have Susan Gittus in the role.”

Independent member of the House of Assembly and long-time greyhound welfare campaigner, Kristie Johnston, described news of Ms Salerno’s dismissal as inconsistent with recent public assurance about her performance in the role.

“It was only last year in GBE hearings that Tasracing assured us that she was in the role permanently, and that they were very satisfied with her performance, so I would ask what has happened since then,” Ms Johnston said.

“I would be very concerned if Susan Gittus became the permanent manager of the Greyhound Adoption Program.”

Ms Johnston said that in her opinion Ms Gittus’s attendance at dog races was “in complete conflict with the ideals of the adoption program”.

“The role should be completely independent of training and racing animals,” she said.

“I’ve had members of the community come to me quite concerned about Ms Gittus’s ongoing role with the Greyhound Adoption Program, and her ongoing involvement in Tasracing races, where she has been seen putting dogs into boxes on race nights.”

Independent Kristie Johnston MP at Parliament lawns, Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Jenkins said that Tasracing’s employment agreement with Ms Gittus stipulated that she could not train or nominate greyhounds while working at GAP.

He said that Ms Gittus retained a handler’s licence, and regularly attended races to help box and catch greyhounds.

“Tasracing is highly supportive of this because it helps Ms Gittus maintain working relationships with people in the greyhound industry and promote the preparation of greyhounds for entry to GAP post-racing,” Mr Jenkins said.

Ms Salerno said her experiences working for Tasracing had affected her sense of professional purpose, and had even made her question whether she could work with dogs again.

“I’ve been working with animals for 30 years, but I just feel demoralised and devalued,” she said.

“I made massive sacrifices to come over to Tasmania, and my reputation has been absolutely destroyed.

“It’s been awful, and the only thing I have been guilty of is caring about animal welfare.”