The Review of the Racing Act 2004 – as expected – has not dealt with serious allegations about the Office of Racing Integrity.
In fact, the Minister for Racing Madeleine Ogilvie was not aware of the allegations that led to the review in the first place.
Before Estimates Hearings today the Minister for Racing refused to answer questions in relation to these matters before questioning even commenced and then proceeded to evade questions for the duration of the hearing.
What we know:
- The Minister was unaware of the integrity allegations which kick-started the Racing Review
- The allegations which kick-started the review are still under investigation
- The former Director of Racing Tony Latham is back at work as a police officer, despite the investigation being ongoing
- The Minister was unable to explain why Chief Harness Steward Steven Shinn is not at work
Racing participants need to have confidence in its governing bodies, but until these serious allegations into ORI are properly dealt with, there can be no confidence in racing integrity.
The allegations into the conduct of Director of Racing Mr Latham have still not been dealt with, with the investigation still incomplete more than a year after the 2021 Tasmania Cup allegations.
The Minister for Police was later able to clarify that Mr Latham is back at work as a police officer. Extraordinarily, this has occurred while he is still under investigation.
Minister Ogilvie was also unable to explain the whereabouts of Mr Shinn, who is still not at work almost four months after he stopped chairing race meetings.
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Racing Minister
