The Tasmanian Liberal Government's turmoil is putting enormous pressure on harness racing.
As we approach the summer racing carnival, the cloud of the Murrihy Review still hangs over the industry which is unfair on the vast majority of participants who have done absolutely nothing wrong.
It has been almost 200 days since the independent investigation was announced and we still have no response to the serious allegations around race fixing and animal welfare. Those with allegations against them continue to operate and the Director of Racing continues to oversee the industry - all while his performance is effectively being investigated. He should have been stood down.
We also know the allegations of sexual harassment, wage theft and tax evasion will not be dealt with by the review. Minister Ellis should outline whether those submissions have been referred to police.
Minister Ellis promised the interim Murrihy Report would include a report into 'the majority' of the Terms of Reference; but it only covered two of seven, with no recommendations at all.
Felix Ellis is the fourth Racing Minister in two years and seems almost as disinterested as the previous Minister. We need to get the report completed, hold the right people to account and get on with the industry reforms which have been promised for more than two years.
Timeline
- 26 March: Serious allegations of animal welfare breaches and race fixing aired in the media. Government announces ORI will investigate itself.
- 27 March: Government announces allegations about harness racing integrity and animal welfare would be independently investigated.
- 1 April: Government announces Terms of Reference and that the report would be provided by 30 June 2023
- 26 June: Government announces a two month extension taking it to 31 August
- 23 July: Madeleine Ogilvie is sacked as Racing Minister
- 15 August: New Minister Felix Ellis announces 'the majority' of the review would be completed by 31 August as part of an 'interim report'
- 20 September: Minister Ellis releases the interim report which only includes responses to two of the seven terms of reference.
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Racing
