Murrihy repeat Groundhog Day for harness racing

Tasmanian Labor

It’s Groundhog Day for Tasmanian harness racing, with Ray Murrihy being called in to investigate revelations about team-racing, irregular betting and animal welfare – again.

ay for Tasmanian harness racing, with Ray Murrihy being called in to investigate revelations about team-racing, irregular betting and animal welfare – again.

Mr Murrihy was last called in in 2018to head an inquiry into harness betting activities, which included
investigating Ben Yole.

This week’s
revelations are clear proof that this inquiry didn’t influence any meaningful
long-term change and that this government is incapable of making basic changes
to improve integrity.

It’s often said
that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and
expecting different results.

Murrihy’s
appointment proves that Minister Ogilvie’s latest inquiry is more about
deflecting criticism of her conduct than actually fixing the serious issues she
has helped to create.

She only acted
on serious integrity issues when they were highlighted in the media.

Without the
media attention these issues would have continued on her watch.

If the Minister and the Government were serious about changing the racing industry, they wouldn’t be rolling out the same tricks to try and fix problems which have existed for years under their mismanagement and neglect.

Dean
Winter MP

Shadow Minister for Racing

/Public Release. View in full here.