The Rockliff Liberal Government is committed to introducing the most significant reforms to integrity in racing in decades.
Minister Felix Ellis said he was pleased to release for public comment the draft Racing Regulation and Integrity Bill today, which will strengthen governance, animal welfare matters and integrity across all three codes of racing in the State.
“This new draft legislation will provide certainty and support to an industry that generates more than $185 million in economic activity for Tasmania, which involves more than 5800 people across the State,” Minister Ellis said.
“The draft legislation incorporates recommendations from the Monteith Review, which involved a review of the Racing Regulation Act 2004 and the racing integrity model in Tasmania.
“The draft Bill includes the creation of a Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner, who will have powers to set integrity and animal welfare standards.
“There is a requirement that this office include staff with experience in animal welfare policy and regulation. The Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner will be accountable through an annual report to the Minister for Racing on the performance of their functions and exercise of their powers.
“Under the draft Bill, Tasracing will become operationally responsible for all three codes of racing, including pre-race day and race-day management, stewards and daily animal welfare.
“It is proposed that the RSPCA Tasmania will have an advisory role in animal welfare but will retain the power for independent investigation of animal welfare matters.”
Minister Ellis said the Government recognises the investigation into matters of alleged team driving and/or race fixing, and serious animal welfare concerns relating to the harness racing industry will be completed in majority by independent expert Ray Murrihy during the public comment period for the new draft legislation with the release of an interim report.
The ongoing investigation Mr Murrihy is conducting about allegations, relate to specific matters within the Terms of Reference and present no barriers to continue with these important reforms.
Minister Ellis said that findings from this investigation will be taken into consideration when the final Bill is drafted.
Feedback on the draft Racing Regulation and Integrity Bill closes on Friday 6 October through the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania website: https://nre.tas.gov.au/see-also/public-comments-invited.
