New leadership appointed to Queensland Racing Integrity Commission

• Former Paralympics Australia CEO named new QRIC Commissioner.
• Recruitment spanned national and international markets.
• Commissioner’s main functions are to ensure effective administration and operation of QRIC and its staff.

A new leadership team has been appointed to the independent Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC).

Racing Minister Grace said Ms Catherine Clark had been permanently appointed as the new Racing Integrity Commissioner following a merit-based national and international recruitment campaign.

Minister Grace has also announced the permanent appointment of Ms Chantal Raine as Deputy Racing Integrity Commissioner as part of the same recruitment campaign.

Mr Kim Kelly has also been temporarily appointed as Acting Deputy Racing Integrity Commissioner, pending a recruitment process to permanently fill the role.

The appointments seek to enhance the State Government’s commitment to maintaining the highest integrity and animal welfare standards in the racing industry.

The State Government established QRIC as an independent statutory body in 2016, as recommended by the MacSporran Commission of Inquiry, following its finding that industry self-regulation had failed.

 QRIC independently regulates integrity and the welfare of racing animals in Queensland’s three racing codes (thoroughbreds, harness and greyhounds).

Quotes attributable to Minister for Racing, the Honourable Grace Grace MP:

“Catherine Clark is an exceptional leader and brings a wealth of experience to the Commissioner role, most recently as the chief executive officer of Paralympics Australia.

“Chantal Raine and Kim Kelly also bring strong skills and experience to their roles.

“I want to congratulate the new appointees and wish them every success.”

Bio details

Catherine Clark is a strategic executive with extensive experience in chief executive and board roles across government, education, sport and management consulting sectors, most recently as chief executive officer of Paralympics Australia.

Chantal Raine is an accomplished executive leader with more than eight years’ experience across state and federal public sectors and has been acting as Deputy Racing Integrity Commissioner since March 2024.

Kim Kelly is an internationally renowned Steward who was Chief Stipendiary Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club from 2009 until his retirement in 2023, after which he continued to work with the Asian Racing Federation and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

Media contact: Martin Philip 0407 675 008