Breaking: Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced the Queensland Government will abolish all racing boards in the state as part of a clean-up that started with the greyhound industry and has moved cross-code.
Ms Palaszczuk is aiming for a “clean slate” following the animal cruelty scandal in the greyhound industry that started with a report from the ABC’s Four Corners programme.
Racing Queensland CEO, Darren Condon, has been stood down and will also be asked to “show cause” to explain why he should remain at the top.
The timing is critical for Queensland thoroughbred racing , with the state’s premier race, the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, this Saturday.
Ms Palaszczuk made the announcement in Queensland State Parliament, responding to the final report into greyhound live baiting from the Commission of Inquiry, headed by Alan MacSporran QC, which was delivered yesterday morning.
“As Mr MacSporran said yesterday, it is clear that Racing Queensland has failed, and that started with the boards,” she said.
“Today we are starting a clean slate. We have appointed Mr Ian Hall from KPMG to advise on implementation of interim administrative arrangements and to ensure effective ongoing management of Racing Queensland.
“All Queenslanders want a racing industry that is based on integrity and proper animal welfare, not one that is characterised by cruelty, dishonesty and, at best, dubious regulation and an environment in which there is a failure of simple compliance measures.
“My government will deliver that.
“Today, I have directed the Minister [for Sport and Racing] to abolish all of the boards associated with the racing industry in Queensland – namely the Queensland All Codes Racing Industry Board, the Queensland Greyhound Racing Board, the Queensland Harness Racing Board and the Queensland Thoroughbred Racing Board.”
(via ABC Brisbane)
More to come.
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