Racing whistleblowers too scared to come forward, Independent MP Kristie Johnston says

Racing industry whistleblowers are too scared to contact authorities with their evidence of animal abuse, an independent MP says. READ WHY >

Racing industry whistleblowers are too scared to contact authorities with their evidence of animal abuse, an independent MP says.

Member for Clark Kristie Johnston has called for an expanded independent inquiry to the all tree racing codes — saying the present inquiry is too narrow in scope.

Racing Minister Madeleine Ogilvie has commissioned former NSW Racing chief steward Ray Murrihy to look into allegations of cruelty and race fixing in harness racing.

A parliamentary inquiry earlier this month heard nobody has been forthcoming with further evidence of cruelty allegations raised in state parliament.

But Ms Johnston says it was not surprising.

“Whistleblowers are absolutely petrified to come forward and report to authorities the concern and allegations that they have,” she said.

“When we have heard as we’ve heard in the hearing last week, where the minister has mishandled complaints and in fact given complainant details back to the person that has a complaint alleged against them. That is completely inappropriate.

MP Kristie Johnston Picture: Linda Higginson

“There is no confidence or faith in the system at the moment of complaint handling within the minister’s office and that goes out to the Office of Racing Integrity and other authorities as well.

“There are very serious allegations about animal welfare in the racing industry.

“The participants themselves have been calling it out, animal welfare advocates have been calling it out, but they are petrified to stand up and say something with the industry rife with corruption, bullying and certainly allegations of price fixing.

Ms Johnston said the inquiry needed to be expanded in order to clean up the industry.

“There needs to be a fully independent separate inquiry into racing across all three codes in Tasmania. That needs to be conducted by someone who is a completely independent civil person, it might be a retired judge, for instance, or magistrate who has no connections to the Tasmanian racing industry.”

Ms Ogilvie said anyone with allegations should alert the proper authorities.

“I would encourage anyone — including members of parliament — with any evidence of animal mistreatment to immediately contact the authorities,” she said.

“It is possible for confidential complaints to be made within the current law.”