GREYHOUNDS
By STEFAN BRADLEY
GREYHOUND Racing Victoria (GRV) has welcomed legislation passed through the Victorian Parliament recently to bring together the functions and powers of the Racing Integrity Commissioner (RIC) and the Victorian Racing Integrity Board (VRIB).
The office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner will be incorporated into the new Racing Integrity Commission Victoria – which will also take on the functions of the Victorian Racing Integrity Board.
The state government said it will create a simpler and more efficient integrity framework while also reducing duplication; and there will be no reduction of integrity oversight of the thoroughbred, harness or greyhound racing industries.
The legislation also transitions Greyhound Racing Victoria and Harness Racing Victoria to public companies limited by guarantee.
The newly established Racing Integrity Commission Victoria will oversee the integrity functions of the three racing controlling bodies.
“Greyhound Racing Victoria supports the Racing Legislation Amendment Bill and welcomes its passage through Parliament,” Greyhound Racing Victoria Chief Executive Stuart Laing told the Express.
“For participants, clubs and greyhound racing operations … it is business as usual. The legislation does not change GRV’s role as the controlling body for greyhound racing in Victoria, nor does it alter the day-to-day operation of race meetings, participant regulation or integrity processes.
“The legislation also transitions GRV to a public company limited by guarantee. This will provide GRV with greater flexibility to operate in a contemporary commercial environment and align its legal structure more closely with Racing Victoria, while maintaining strong governance and regulatory oversight through the Racing Act, Ministerial powers, a skills-based Board and corporate law obligations.”
This reporter asked GRV if there were any downsides and missed opportunities in the legislation.
“GRV supports the broader integrity and governance reforms contained within the legislation and does not see any downsides arising from the changes. We believe the reforms represent a practical step towards a more efficient integrity and governance framework for Victorian racing,” Laing said.
The bill also sought to formally recognise Racing Victoria’s role as the controlling body for thoroughbred racing in Victoria, a role it has held since 2001.
But the government in a media release said they were “forced” to support an Opposition amendment removing that component to secure the other critical integrity and governance reforms in the bill. The minister will now consider whether a broader review of thoroughbred governance is needed.
“The racing industry is one of the biggest economic drivers in Victoria and we want to make sure our integrity framework keeps pace with a modern racing industry,” Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines said.
“These reforms will strengthen racing integrity, reduce duplication and make sure our regulatory framework is working as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
Greens MP Katherine Copsey said the party opposed the bill because it gave racing bodies greater commercial freedom but with less transparency and accountability. She also said that taxpayers will “continue to prop them up with public money” and was concerned about animal cruelty and the gambling industry.
