Media release – Ray Murrihy, Senior Stipendiary Steward, 29 November 2023
Independent Inquiry into Racing in Tasmania
I have submitted the Final Report following a comprehensive investigation and review into allegations of team driving, race fixing and animal welfare concerns within the Tasmanian harness racing industry. The report also evaluates the management of these issues by the Office of Racing Integrity.
The Final Report responds to all 7 Terms of Reference as outlined by the Government in March 2023.
This process has taken longer than anticipated due to factors such as the availability of witnesses, the volume of information received and the need to afford those involved in the inquiry procedural fairness. I have always however been dedicated to ensuring the integrity of this Final Report and the strength of the recommendations.
The Final Report has been prepared for the Government’s consideration. Until the Government has had the opportunity to review and respond to the matters identified, I commit to refraining from making public comments on the contents of the final report.
The public release of the Final Report is a matter for the Government.
I am grateful to all who have taken the time to make submissions to this process. The Tasmanian harness racing has a long and distinguished history of champion horses and horse persons. The matters identified in the Final Report are raised with a view to ensuring those traditions can both continue and flourish.
Media release – Felix Ellis, Minister for Racing, 29 November 2023
Final Murrihy Report received
The Tasmanian Liberal Government remains committed to ensuring the highest standards of integrity and animal welfare in the harness racing industry.
The Government has received the final report into 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, Felix Ellis, thanked independent investigator and racing and integrity expert, Ray Murrihy, for his diligence in assessing more than 44 submissions and conducting over 50 interviews, along with examining betting records, reviewing extensive race footage and undertaking site visits.
“Thank you also to industry members and stakeholders who provided written statements and agreed to be interviewed as part of this important review,” Minister Ellis said.
“The final report follows an interim report in which Mr Murrihy provided support for the Government’s Racing Regulation and Integrity Bill 2023 and Racing Regulation and Integrity (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023, which were tabled in Parliament on 15 November.
“This new legislation includes the creation of a Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner, who will have powers to set integrity and animal welfare standards. Staff who have experience in animal welfare policy and regulation will be appointed to the Commission.
“The Government has supported in-principle all recommendations in the interim report from Mr Murrihy, noting that matters of industry competitiveness and codes of practice are largely matters for Tasracing to consider within the integrity framework.
“We will now consider all recommendations made against the Terms of Reference in this final report. Once this has occurred a further statement will be made and the report will be available to the public,” Minister Ellis said.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is a proud supporter of the racing industry which is a way of life for many Tasmanians and generates more than $208 million in activity with the involvement of more than 6400 people across the state.
Media release – Dean Winter MP, Shadow Minister for Racing, 29 November 2023
Minister must release Murrihy Report in full
Racing Minister Felix Ellis must commit to making the entire Murrihy Report public before Friday’s harness racing at Elwick.
The Minister’s lack of urgency to date has proven he doesn’t understand the impact the delay of the Murrihy Report has had on the harness racing industry.
This report was initially due on 30 June, five months ago.
Every day that passes without the report being released is another blow for an industry full of good, hardworking people.
The entire harness code is on a knife edge.
Those with allegations against them continue to operate and the Director of Racing continues to oversee the industry, even earning a reappointment while his performance is effectively being investigated.
To help ease the massive levels of unrest in the industry, Minister Ellis must stop playing games and release the entire Murrihy Report without delay.
Timeline
- 26 March: Serious allegations of animal welfare breaches and race fixing aired in the media. Government announces ORI will investigate itself.
- 27 March: Government announces allegations about harness racing integrity and animal welfare would be independently investigated.
- 1 April: Government announces Terms of Reference and that the report would be provided by 30 June 2023
- 26 June: Government announces a two month extension taking it to 31 August
- 23 July: Madeleine Ogilvie is sacked as Racing Minister
- 15 August: New Minister Felix Ellis announces ‘the majority’ of the review would be completed by 31 August as part of an ‘interim report’
- 20 September: Minister Ellis releases the interim report which only includes responses to two of the seven terms of reference.
