Latham launches extraordinary attack on Racing NSW chief Peter V’landys

Independent NSW MP Mark Latham has launched an extraordinary attack on Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys, accusing him of impropriety, “dictatorial behaviour” and a “constant pattern of regulatory abuse” as he called on the powerbroker to resign.

Delivering a private member’s statement in the upper house on Wednesday afternoon, Latham launched a series of personal attacks on one of the nation’s most powerful men.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys has been accused of impropriety by NSW Independent MP Mark Latham.Credit: Kate Geraghty; Wolter Peeters

“Megalomania is a dreadful thing, and it’s really ruining the NSW racing industry. For the sake of a sport I dearly love, I believe V’landys should resign and hand over to someone with the best interests of racing in mind, rather than the relentless pursuit of a toxic power,” he said.

Latham claimed an ongoing parliamentary inquiry into the proposed development of Rosehill Racecourse revealed critical problems of “nepotism, regulatory abuse … and a lack of financial accountability”.

“Those who work there describe Racing NSW as a toxic workplace plagued by intimidation, favouritism, electronic surveillance and constant decision-making and interference by the CEO,” he said.

“Evidence has been presented to the committee that the worst of this dictatorial behaviour is V’landys’ persistent interference in steward inquiries … I’m shocked to learn that the CEO intervenes in active inquiries to benefit his favourite licensed individuals and punish those who are either powerless or refuse to toe the V’landys line.”

Speaking to this masthead, V’landys called on Latham to repeat the allegations outside of parliament, insisting he had always remained at arm’s length during steward inquiries and there was zero evidence for his baseless attacks.

“There is no doubt Mr Latham is running an agenda for some very wealthy breeders who don’t wish to be held to account for animal welfare. They have at all times resisted having their horses traced from birth to retirement. They are attempting a smear campaign on steroids,” he said.

“I challenge Mr Latham to say all these things outside parliament and produce some evidence because there is none. Anyone can say anything in coward’s castle. Because everything he is saying is completely and utterly rubbish.”

The spectacular attack could hijack V’landys’ appearance at the Rosehill inquiry hearing scheduled on Friday, with Latham expected to use his time on the committee to interrogate Racing NSW’s supremo about his allegations, rather than the proposal to develop the racecourse.

As he called on V’landys to resign, Latham said the laundry list of problems had so far been ignored by NSW Racing Minister David Harris, and his predecessors, Nationals ministers Kevin Anderson and Troy Grant.

The Rosehill inquiry’s first hearing heard evidence from prominent trainers Gai Waterhouse and John O’Shea.

Waterhouse blamed Racing NSW for driving the potential Rosehill sale and excoriated the organisation’s board members. “No one would know who they are because they don’t attend the races. You never see them. They’re a headless group of people, poor things,” she said.

Rosehill is owned by the Australian Turf Club, which said it was responsible for instigating the unsolicited proposal to sell the track. Premier Chris Minns and ATC chairman Peter McGauran announced the proposal at a press conference late last year.

Under that plan, up to 25,000 new homes would be built on the 60-hectare site, along with an additional station on the Metro West line, which is due to be completed in 2032. However, ATC members would need to agree to sell the prized asset, and Minns has acknowledged it is “not a done deal”.

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