New appointments have bolstered two key Victorian racing integrity bodies – the Victorian Racing Tribunal and the Victorian Racing Integrity Board.
Minister for Racing Martin Pakula today announced retired Judge Kathryn Kings had joined the Victorian Racing Tribunal while foundation Tribunal members Robert Abrahams, Judge Marilyn Harbinson, Gregory Childs, Heidi Keighran, Joshua Bornstein and Dr Andrew Gould would serve new terms.
The Victorian Racing Tribunal was established by the Victorian Government in 2019 to enhance and streamline the disciplinary and appeals process for thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing. It hears and determines charges and appeals for racing’s three codes.
Judge Kings was a Judge of the County Court of Victoria from 2009 until her retirement earlier this year. Prior to that she was an associate Judge of the Supreme Court, and was the first female judicial officer appointed to the Supreme Court.
Minister Pakula also announced the appointment of Megan Hughes to the Victorian Racing Integrity Board while serving board members Bryan Gurry, Amelia Lynch, John Barrett and Dr Kate Savage have been reappointed.
Ms Hughes has an established international legal and consultancy practice and has worked extensively in both the public and private sectors. She has recently contributed to the development of an industry-wide animal welfare policy for the controlling body of European horse racing.
The Victorian Racing Integrity Board was created in 2019 to enhance the Victorian racing industry’s integrity framework and ensure the racing integrity of all three codes is subject to an independent and transparent system of checks and balances.
As stated by Minister for Racing Martin Pakula
“We established the Victorian Racing Tribunal and Victorian Racing Integrity Board to ensure the integrity of racing in Victoria – which is absolutely non-negotiable.”
“Under the leadership of Judge John Bowman and the Hon. Jack Forrest, the respective bodies have played important roles in maintaining public confidence in our racing codes, and the appointment of Judge Kathryn Kings to the Tribunal and Megan Hughes to the Integrity Board reinforces their capability.”
“Racing is an important part of our economy and society. It’s critical the industry is overseen in a manner that is transparent and independent and the Tribunal and Integrity Board do just that.”
