THE STATE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT REFORMS TO QUEENSLAND RACING'S JUDICIAL SYSTEM

By David Fowler | Tuesday, September 15, 2020

EXCLUSIVE:

The State Government announced significant reform to Queensland racing’s justice system today.

Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said a Racing Appeals panel would replace the largely criticized internal review system.

The Minister was one of several keynote speakers at the Second Queensland Racing Industry forum conducted in Brisbane’s CBD.

The panel will comprise of a Chairperson alongside two members who will be chosen per case from a range of suitably qualified members sourced from the three codes.

QRIC’s commissioner Ross Barnett said a talent pool would enable a review to be judged by the most appropriate people.

Barnett added the Chairperson would have racing knowledge and a legal skill-set to enhance his role.

Appeals would be held weekly and he hoped that a licencee respect factor for the new panel would see less appeals stretch out to the QCAT level.

In another key announcement, there will be no guarantee of stays of proceedings on a range of offences including animal cruelty and integrity matters.

While not confirmed today, discussions have begun to try and ensure QCAT members assigned to racing appeals have appropriate knowledge of the appeal at hand.

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