Mr PERRETT (Gympie—LNP) (3.17 pm): I rise to speak on the Racing Integrity Amendment
Bill 2022. According to the explanatory notes, this bill aims to improve the review practices for decisions
made by stewards under the rules of racing. The changes will include the establishment of an
independent panel to conduct reviews, replacing internal and external reviews and guaranteeing they
are completed within an acceptable time frame. The creation of an independent panel will bring
Queensland into line with the current arrangements in New South Wales and Victoria. Another change
aims to reduce serious welfare, human safety or integrity risks from being stayed pending the hearing
of an appeal by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The bill also aims to try to improve
transparency by publishing stewards’ reports and other reports online and removing the requirement
for the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission to obtain and store fingerprints prior to licensing
bookmakers.
Stewards are not only integral to the racing industry; they are also key to ensuring the integrity
of the system. They are responsible for conducting meetings and ensuring that the rules are adhered
to. They are responsible for ensuring that there is proper control and regulation, and for checking the
credentials of ownership, stable returns, approving horses for barrier certificates, overseeing track work,
and conducting stable inspections and swabbing.
Since 2015 racing has been plagued with a litany of mismanagement and problems generated
by government indifference. Since they have been at the helm we have had unprecedented strikes,
animal welfare scandals, job losses in the wagering business, Queensland’s premier racetrack out of
business for years, $14 million spent on the Eagle Farm track and still trainers are concerned about its
condition, a major owner and breeder withdrawing from Queensland racing, and issues with integrity
and safety. Labor took an axe to country racing as part of a slash-and-burn regime across the wider
racing industry that reduced prize money, confidence and certainty about the future.
Racing is an important part of the Gympie region’s social and sporting calendar. Race meetings
have been held in Gympie for 154 years, with the first one held in the gold rush days of 1868. Our
top-class facility is well supported and patronised, hosting up to nine race days a year, with iconic
meetings such as the Nolan cup, Gympie RSL cup, Brown Macaulay & Warren Accountants cup and
the Gympie Times Ladies Day. It has been through some difficult times in recent years, with race days
cancelled because of COVID and flooding.
For the first time in 15 years, the Gympie RSL race day last year was featured on the national
mainstream racing channel with its first ever TAB meeting. Racing Queensland determines the status
of race meets. Converting non-TAB meetings to TAB meetings is one of the ways it can manage and
drive the commercial performance of local racing. Racing Queensland listed three Gympie Turf Club
races last year as TAB meetings. In September the minister advised that, of the 21 meetings listed for
conversion last year, only 18 were able to be held. Racing Queensland’s annual report in 2021 said
that the conversion of several meetings delivered more than $500,000 in additional prize money into
regional and remote Queensland.
The Gympie facility is a breeding ground for racing champions, where jockeys and horses get a
start with the support of the club, trainers, staff, owners and supporters. Gympie’s close connection with
the racing industry will be again on display at next week’s Melbourne Cup. Gympie State High School
Principal Anthony Lanskey and teacher Bob Leitch are part-owners of the 2019 winner Vow And
Declare. Anthony will be heading to Melbourne to watch his horse once again have a start in the race
after coming sixth in the Caulfield Cup. This is not the first time for Gympie. St Patrick’s College teacher
Wendy Green was part-owner of the country galloper and 1999 Melbourne Cup winner Rogan Josh.
Our local racing industry generates economic activity in the racing and horse management industry,
draws visitors and tourists, provides a vital social outlet, supports jobs, and provides cash flow for
community groups, vets, produce stores, those who grow and supply feed, farriers, saddlers, caterers,
dress shops, milliners, hairdressers and beauticians.
The restoration of integrity and confidence in the racing industry is essential to ensuring a vibrant
and healthy racing industry. There is no doubt that Labor’s mismanagement has had significant impact
on the industry. The greyhound industry commission of inquiry report was handed down in 2015 with
15 recommendations. Seven years later the minister admitted that the government has implemented
just over 65 per cent of the recommendations. From a report which went to the heart of integrity in
racing, the minister has admitted that the government has implemented only 10 of the
15 recommendations. Four years ago, in 2018, the government released a discussion paper on
concerns raised by the industry. It has taken them four years to address some of those concerns.
The committee made four recommendations seeking clarification from the minister in her second
reading speech on aspects including time frames, eligibility criteria for appointments, and intended
meanings and definitions. The minister was asked to explain whether a racing decision includes
decisions made by a steward, irrespective of whether the rules expressly refer to a steward as the
decision-maker; to clarify the meaning of ‘extent’ in clause 24 relating to appeal rights; and to clarify
publishing time frames. The committee also wanted clarity on the eligibility criteria for appointment to
the panel for persons registered or licensed by QRIC and board directors of licensed clubs.
The government claims that the racing industry is important yet it takes years to address key
industry issues. The lack of action makes those words hollow claims, mere lip-service. As the
submission from the Australian Jockeys Association said, it ‘has been a long time coming’. A history of
mismanagement is unacceptable. The government need to turn up to act to deliver confidence to the
racing industry. I do not oppose the bill.