Racing crisis deepens with fresh claims of corruption and cruelty

There are new allegations of cruelty, doping, corruption, wage theft, tax evasion and sexual harassment in the racing industry, and Labor says it’s too much for the inquiry. LATEST >>

A close up of a racehorses hooves. (AAP Image/Darren England)

New allegations of animal cruelty, doping, corruption, wage theft, tax evasion and sexual harassment within the harness racing industry demonstrate the need for a broader inquiry than that currently underway, Labor says.

Shadow Racing Minister Dean Winter said he had been provided with witness statements given to the Murrihy Inquiry which he said outline even more serious allegations those that have already been detailed in Parliament and in media reporting.

Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy has been appointed by Racing Minister Madeleine Ogilvie is heading an inquiry into allegations of race fixing and animal cruelty in harness racing.

Ray Murrihy at the stewards conference in Launceston Pic: TAS RACING

But Mr Winter says the information he has demonstrates the terms of reference are now clearly inadequate for a proper clean-up of the industry.

“The concern I have is that the submissions that I’ve read show that the allegations are much more serious than the terms of reference that are currently within the Murrihy review,” he said.

“The Murrihy review terms of reference are quite limited and the allegations are much more serious than what’s already been reported.

“The allegations that I’ve seen goes to wage theft, they go to tax evasion, they go to fraud, they go to animal welfare concerns very serious animal welfare concerns — and just as importantly, they talk about corruption within the Office of Racing Integrity.

“They allege that the Office of Racing Integrity has routinely advised a particular trainer that he was about to be inspected by stewards.

“There can’t be any more serious allegations than the ones that I’ve read already as part of this process — and what it’s telling me is that this process is far too narrow.

Labor's Dean Winter speaks to the media on Parliament Lawns in Hobart on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

Racing Minister Madelenine Ogilvie accused Mr Winter of politicising the inquiry.

“It’s completely obnoxious for the shadow minister to be airing submissions to the Murrihy Review purely to try to score political points,” she said.

“Mr Winter will go to any length to undermine this review, and confidence in the industry, which directly and indirectly employs thousands of hardworking Tasmanians who day-in day-out support the sector they love.”

She called on Opposition leader Rebecca White to “rein in the wayward Winter and his smears and bullying”.