On Racing Inquiry Extension …

Media release – Madeleine Ogilvie, Minister for Racing, 26 June 2023

Extension granted for independent investigation into racing allegations

An eight week extension has been granted by the Government for the final report by the independent investigator into the state’s harness racing industry.

The Rockliff Liberal Government is ensuring Tasmania maintains the highest possible standards when it comes to racing integrity, probity, and animal welfare.

That is why national integrity expert Ray Murrihy was appointed to independently investigate allegations of team driving, race fixing and animal welfare concerns in the Tasmanian harness racing industry and the management of those issues by the Office of Racing Integrity.

Minister for Racing, Madeleine Ogilvie, said had been expecting Mr Murrihy to present his findings to Government at the end of June, 2023.

“Mr Ray Murrihy wrote to the Government on Friday asking for an extension of time by another eight weeks to ensure the matters outlined in the Terms of Reference can be fully investigated,” she said.

“It is important to allow Mr Murrihy adequate time to thoroughly complete his due diligence of all the matters before him in the interests of procedural fairness.

“The Government has always committed to providing further resources as required, and additional time for the review if Mr Murrihy deemed it necessary.

“It is my understanding that along with reviewing written submissions, Mr Murrihy has visited Tasmania on several occasions to conduct in-person confidential interviews. This has included inspecting animal welfare conditions at the Yole Sidmouth Racing Stables and consultation with RSPCA Tasmania.

“The investigation also involves the collection of data and other information from third parties, such as analysis of race betting data.

“The Rockliff Liberal Government announced this investigation to ensure Tasmanians can have faith that the welfare of animals is never compromised, and the integrity of the industry is above reproach, so it is important we ensure a thorough investigation is undertaken.”

The revised date the report and findings will be due to be provided to the Government is now 31 August 2023.

It is important to note that when it comes to probity and equity, the Tasmanian Government also previously instigated the Monteith Review and are implementing its recommendations, which includes creating a new Racing Integrity Commissioner with the powers to set integrity and animal welfare standards.

“There is no stronger supporter of the racing industry in Tasmania than the Rockliff Liberal Government and I am committed to upholding the integrity of the industry,” Minister Ogilvie said.

For more information on the independent investigation visit: https://nre.tas.gov.au/about-the-department/independent-racing-investigation.

Media release – Dean Winter MP, Shadow Minister for Racing, 26 June 2023

Liberals let down racing industry again

The minority Liberal Government has let down Tasmania’s racing industry again with the delay of a critical investigation into harness racing.

Labor has been saying from the start that the terms of reference for the report were too narrow to capture all the issues within the industry, but even with those narrow terms Mr Murrihy seems to have too much on his plate.

Now the deadline has been extended by eight weeks, can Minister Ogilvie please outline what Mr Murrihy is going to do with all the allegations that fit outside the investigation’s terms of reference?

Given the intense interest in this investigation, the Minister should commit to making an interim report available this Friday to provide the industry with the confidence about the direction of the work.

The delay of the report so soon to its due date also raises some significant questions about the Government’s process in ordering this investigation.

When did Mr Murrihy ask for an extension?

With the due date supposed to be in four days’ time, it is very difficult to believe that it has only just become apparent that the initial timeframe wouldn’t be long enough.

That being said, it wasn’t so along that Minister Ogilvie claimed in parliament that the racing industry had “never been in better shape”.

After 10 years in office, this Government has made an artform of promising a lot, but delivering very little.

The delay of this report is further evidence this trend isn’t going to change any time soon.

Media release – Kristie Johnston MP, independent Member for Clark, 26 June 2023

Investigation Extension Shows Racing Industry In Complete Mess

Today’s announcement by Racing Minister, Madeleine Ogilvie, of an eight-week extension to the Murrihy Investigation into alleged team driving and animal welfare in Tasmanian harness racing is further vindication that the industry is in absolute disarray.

According to the Minister, racing in Tasmania has “never been in better shape”, however with Mr Murrihy now formally requesting further time to further delve into these serious allegations, it’s clear that things are very far from the pretty picture the Minister would have us believe.

Minister Ogilvie’s incompetence has led us down this garden path and ongoing controversy and allegations continue to plague her portfolio at every turn.

It’s time she resigned.