Media release – Tasracing, 6 July 2022
Tasracing CEO statement
After more than three years in the role, Tasracing CEO Paul Eriksson is leaving the business and will return to Sydney.
Mr Eriksson said that the past two years during COVID, given the lockdowns and other restrictions, had been significantly personally challenging and he was returning to Sydney to spend time with his family before looking for a new role.
Following discussions with the Board, it was agreed that now was the appropriate time for this change before the implementation of the outcomes of the Review of the Racing Regulation Act 2004.
Tasracing Chair Gene Phair thanked Mr Eriksson for his work as CEO.
“Paul made a significant contribution to the development of the broader Tasmanian racing industry during his tenure in a number of areas,” he said.
Mr Phair said his achievements included:
- The delivery of a five-year strategic plan, setting new vision and values to deliver growth.
- Significantly improved transparency around the reporting of welfare and injury statistics for equine and greyhounds, as well as significant welfare improvements for greyhounds.
- Negotiated 80 per cent of Point of Consumption Tax incremental revenues worth about $6.5 million per year for the industry
- A strong financial position allowing Tasracing to sustainably fund the continued growth of code funding and deliver a five-year $55 million infrastructure plan.
- Code funding growth of nearly 40 per cent.
- Expanded digital reach of Tasracing’s unique Tasmanian FormPlus system which contributed to revenue growth.
- Delivery of COVID industry support payments from internal funding to ensure equine and greyhounds stayed in work during the COVID shutdown and participants had funds to continue operating their businesses.
- Appropriate resourcing of racing operations and track teams.
Mr Eriksson’s last day with Tasracing will be Friday 8 July 2022.
Andrew Jenkins, current Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed as interim CEO. A search for a permanent replacement will begin immediately.
Media release – Madeleine Ogilvie, Minister for Racing, 6 July 2022
Statement on Tasracing CEO
On behalf of the Tasmanian Government, I would like to thank Mr Paul Eriksson for his service as Chief Executive Officer of Tasracing. Mr Eriksson will be returning to Sydney to spend more time with his family.
During Mr Eriksson’s time as CEO, he has been instrumental in placing Tasracing in a strong financial position, which has delivered sustainable prize money and industry funding increases.
Only yesterday, Tasracing announced that code funding would increase by nine per cent in FY23, which is on top of the 4.38 per cent increase in January this year.
Mr Eriksson also guided the industry through the COVID racing shutdown and then the recovery and rebuilding of the Tasmanian Racing Industry. This included the successful delivery of the first tri-code summer carnival in a COVID- safe environment.
A publicly advertised recruitment process will be undertaken for a new Chief Executive Officer for Tasracing.
Dean Winter MP, Shadow Minister for Racing, 7 July 2022
Golden Handshake for outgoing TasRacing CEO?
The Rockliff-Ferguson government has serious questions to answer over the departure of Tasracing CEO Paul Eriksson just four months into his three-year reappointment.
The announcement of Mr Eriksson’s departure only four months into his reappointment is very odd and requires further explanation.
The disinterested Racing Minister, Madeleine Ogilvie, knew almost nothing about the reappointment at Estimates last month.
But now, as Mr Eriksson prepares to walk away at the end of the week, Ms Ogilvie has an obligation to explain his departure – in particular whether Tasmanians will be forking out for a severance package.
Will Mr Eriksson receive a golden handshake like the ones paid out to Hydro Executives last year?
The Tasmanian racing industry was continually let down by the Liberal government during Mr Eriksson’s time in charge.
We were the only state to shut down its racing industry during the pandemic – race meetings were cancelled at Elwick and Mowbray due to poor track maintenance and greyhound and harness trainers in the north west have been left with nothing after Tasracing decided to leave the Devonport Showgrounds.
Now, Mr Eriksson is leaving with 32 months remaining on his contract.
The Tasmanian people deserve to know if their money will be used to pay him out or not – and the Minister needs to step up and be transparent about any severance arrangements.
