Australian Grand Prix chair Paul Little to stand down

Ex-Essendon boss and business magnate Paul Little is set to stand down from his role as Australian Grand Prix chairman.

The former club president and Toll managing director has held the role since 2019 and was responsible for leading the recent search to replace the Australian Grand Prix Corporation’s longest-standing chief executive, Andrew Westacott.

Former Australian Grand Prix chief executive Andrew Westacott, Martin Pakula and Australian Grand Prix chair Paul Little in 2021. Credit: Simon Schluter

It comes after The Age revealed last week that Travis Auld, the AFL’s chief financial officer and fixtures boss, had been chosen as the preferred candidate for the CEO role.

Two sources familiar with the process, speaking anonymously to discuss confidential matters, confirmed that Little would not be reappointed as chairman of the board, with his replacement yet to be announced.

Little, a leading business figure, was appointed to the top job in 2019 when John Harnden completed his four-year tenure and went on to lead the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust. Before that, the late Ron Walker held the position for more than two decades.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) board led the candidacy process to replace Westacott after he announced his resignation in December. Nine-time grand prix winner Mark Webber and MotoGP racing legend Mick Doohan are among the eight other names on the board.

Little chaired the Victorian COVID advisory group, formed in 2020 to provide guidance on government policy, as the state eased Melbourne’s stage four restrictions. However, the group failed to gain access to the premier and dissolved shortly after it was created.

Asked about the departure of Little, a spokesperson from the government said: “Any appointments to the Australian Grand Prix board will be made in the usual way.”

It is not known who will replace Little if he is not reappointed. However, former Labor minister Martin Pakula on Monday dismissed speculation in political, sporting and media circles that he was the prime candidate.

Pakula was overseas on Monday but in a statement said: “I don’t know whether there are any current vacancies on the AGPC board, nor what the minister has in mind for it, but I’ve not been offered any role and I haven’t accepted any role.”

Pakula was minister for tourism, sport and major events from November 2018 until June 2022 – meaning he was the minister responsible for the grand prix for an almost four-year period.

The ex-MP, who retired at last year’s state election, stepped into an advisory role with the AFL just two months later. He currently reports to Auld – the sole preferred candidate for the AGPC CEO role.

Little was approached for comment. The AGPC directed questions from The Age to the government.

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