Racing integrity reforms deliver the goods 12 months on

The Palaszczuk Government’s nation-leading racing integrity reforms have delivered strong results for the Queensland racing industry 12 months after coming into force, Racing Minister Grace Grace said.

Ms Grace said the new standalone Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC), established in July 2016, was setting the standard nationally on racing integrity and animal welfare matters.

“Thanks to our racing integrity reforms, we’ve been able to build a stronger racing industry in Queensland with higher standards of integrity and animal welfare,” she said.

“We’ve abolished the QBred breeding incentive scheme which had resulted in an oversupply of racing dogs, while strengthening the Greyhound Adoption Program, or GAP.

“In the 12 months to July this year GAP re-homed 313 greyhounds – a record result and more than twice the two previous years combined.

“QRIC has expanded the drug sampling regime to test for prohibited substances in 100 per cent of winning animals across all three racing codes.

“It has also enhanced its stable and kennel inspections, including the establishment of a dedicated kennel inspection team and increased its integrity complaints and investigation capacity.

“Licensing standards have also been established, giving QRIC powers to exclude people from the industry for a range of offences.

“QRIC has also forged a partnership with the Queensland Police Service’s Queensland Racing Crime Squad, resulting in 23 charges against 14 offenders.

“It has also entered into a formal partnership with Crime Stoppers to provide a trusted avenue for people to anonymously report animal abuse and misconduct within the racing industry.

“A new Equine Welfare program to support the transitioning of retired racehorses into other sports such as show jumping, dressage and eventing is also now operating.

“In addition to this, six animal welfare directions have been issued under the Racing Integrity Act 2016.

“These are outstanding results that highlight the success that’s resulting from our racing integrity reforms 12 months on.”

Ms Grace said the previous racing governance structures – which saw Racing Queensland oversee both the commercial and integrity functions of the industry - were clearly broken.

“The MacSporran Commission found that industry self-regulation had failed and that a new independent ‘cop on the beat’ was needed,” Ms Grace said.

“Given the sickening images of animal cruelty we saw in the greyhound live baiting scandal, we make no apology for acting swiftly and decisively.

“Queensland now has the strictest racing integrity and animal welfare regime in the country – and I want to acknowledge the outstanding work of QRIC Commissioner Ross Barnett and his team over the last 12 months.

“Other jurisdictions including Victoria are now looking to adopt Queensland’s racing integrity model.

“They know our racing integrity reforms – which the LNP fought tooth and nail – are working.”

Media contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548