THE SUNSHINE COAST NEWSPAPER COLUMN - LETS TRUST THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY WILL SERVE RACING WELL

By Graham Potter | Sunday, September 29, 2013

Graham Potter writes a weekly column for the Sunshine Coast daily. Due to demand from those having trouble accessing the paper these columns are now also published on HRO courtesy of the Sunshine Coast daily

The Queensland Racing Commission of Inquiry means different things to different people.

In essence, at its best it will serve to iron out the creases of a turbulent period of racing history in a manner which will provide adequate closure to all who felt compromised during the period in question.

While the small print is as important as the big picture, I suggest the following five points will carry the most weight in terms of weighing up the success or failure of the commission when the commission itself is confined to history.

Its importance in providing accurate historical fact of a particular time in Queensland’s racing history.

Its importance in re-establishing confidence in the blue collar integrity of the industry.

Its importance in possibly giving Racing Queensland the right to reclaim any alleged ‘lost’ revenue.

Its importance in bringing any wrong-doers to account.

Its importance in arguably exposing a business model that should never be allowed to exist again.

While all of these points are ‘important’ it is the last one that arguably comes with the biggest, flashing light as the future is in dire need of protection from past flaws.

We can only hope this message is not lost in the maze of questioning and cross-examination at the commission and that current and future leaders of racing recognise and accept the humbleness of their position in taking on the trust of the racing masses and understand the core responsibility to racing stakeholders which is inherent in their role.

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Am I missing a point here?

While it is understandable that feelings will run high whenever emotive issues are involved, as is the case before the commission, I don’t believe that anger manifesting itself in attacks on any specific individual can be entirely justified.

The last time I looked it was usual for the full board, and not any individual, to be charged with determining policy and issuing directives and therefore, whatever the power dynamics within this board of directors might have been at the time under review by the commission, all who stayed on to serve under whatever circumstances surely have to accept a collective responsibility for events, good and bad, that occurred during their time in office.

That, at least, is my take on the situation.

I think that is an important distinction as the merits, or otherwise, of the activities under scrutiny are weighed up.

Ultimately though, it is not your or my opinion that will count.

The onus is on the impartial commissioner to produce the final verdict and, on the basis of the manner in which the inquiry hearings have progressed thus far, she will have enough detailed information on which to base an informed conclusion.

So, without losing any enthusiasm for the subject … and I know for those of you who have been short-changed and disappointed before it will mean taking a leap of faith … perhaps it would be best to just let the commissioner do her job at this time and trust that the outcome will serve racing in Queensland in the best way possible.

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