Ray Murrihy granted two-month extension to present final report into Tas harness racing industry

The investigator heading a review into the state’s harness racing industry will have two extra months to finish his report. Find out why >

Harness racing in Hobart. Pic Peter Staples

The man spearheading a review into the state’s harness racing industry will have two extra months to finish his report.

Racing NSW chief steward, Ray Murrihy, who was appointed to investigate allegations of team driving, race fixing and animal welfare concerns in the industry, and the management of those issues by the Office of Racing Integrity, has been granted an eight-week extension by the state government.

Mr Murrihy was set to present his findings to the government at the end of the month, but will now have until August 31 to present his findings.

Minister for Racing, Madeleine Ogilvie said Mr Murrihy had written to the government on Friday, asking for an extension of eight weeks to “ensure the matters outlined in the terms of reference can be fully investigated”.

“It is important to allow Mr Murrihy adequate time to thoroughly complete his due diligence of all the matters before him in the interests of procedural fairness,” Ms Ogilvie said.

Ray Murrihy at the stewards conference in Launceston TAS RACING

She said the state government had been committed to providing additional resources and time as required if Mr Murrihy had deemed it necessary, and that it was important to ensure a thorough investigation.

The Mercury in April reported comments from Shadow Racing Minister Dean Winter in which he said witness statements given to the inquiry outlined even more serious allegations than those that had already been revealed.

At the time, Mr Winter said the information he had demonstrated the terms of reference were now inadequate for industry reform – and that the allegations included fraud, wage theft, and tax evasion.

Dean Winter MP. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Winter on Monday repeated his concerns that the terms of reference of the report were too narrow, and questioned what would happen to “all the allegations that fit outside” of the terms of reference.

Ms Ogilvie said it was her understanding that Mr Murrihy had visited the state “on several occasions” to conduct in-person, confidential interviews.

“This has included inspecting animal welfare conditions at the Yole Sidmouth Racing Stables, and consultation with RSPCA Tasmania,” she said.

The investigation also involves the collection of data and other information from third parties, such as the analysis of race betting data.”