NSW orders inquiry Into GRNSW amid explosive animal welfare allegations
The NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris MP, has written to the NSW Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) to require it to conduct an inquiry under Part 8 of the Greyhound Racing Act 2017 into matters relating to various complaints concerning Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW).
The matters have arisen following documents being tabled in NSW Parliament that stem from a 54-page “handover letter” from former GRNSW Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), Alex Brittan.
While the documents have since been marked “privileged” and no longer available to the public, the letter is alleged to have made claims about poor animal welfare practices, and widespread mismanagement by GRNSW.
Former GRNSW Chief Executive Officer, Rob Macaulay, who has seen the “handover letter”, had already announced an independent inquiry into the letter and its claims by former Victorian Police Chief Graham Ashton.
But before that inquiry could even begin, Macaulay succumbed to pressure from Racing Minister Harris, and mainstream media activist journalists, and resigned on Tuesday, July 9.
Racing Minister Harris has also given the Board of GRNSW, whom he appointed, until 5:00 PM AEST this afternoon to show cause why they should not all be sacked.
GRNSW is currently operating with an Acting CEO, and will quite likely have no Board by close of business today (Friday, July 12).
Under that scenario, Racing Minister Harris will appoint an administrator.
However, even prior to Harris making a decision on the viability of the current Board of GRNSW, he announced on Thursday that he would compel GWIC to hold an Inquiry into GRNSW and it’s practices.
Harris also announced he would be appointing Hon Lea Drake as Assistant GWIC Commissioner to conduct the Inquiry, saying he was committed to the highest standards of integrity in all racing codes.
“It is important that the governing bodies and senior leadership of the racing codes meet these standards,” he said.
“I take these various concerns about GRNSW very seriously and this inquiry, using the full investigative powers of GWIC, will conduct a thorough and wide-ranging review of all relevant issues.
“Ms Drake is eminently qualified to lead this inquiry. Further details about the inquiry, its procedures and conduct of hearings will be made in due course.
“The NSW government will continue to work with GRNSW and industry participants to ensure the viability and longevity of the industry in NSW and to make it the best it can be.”
Drake, who is believed to have no background in the greyhound industry at all, spent over 20 years as a member of the Fair Work Commission and was the inaugural commissioner of Integrity of the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
Drake will be required to report to the Minister and GWIC, in accordance with Section 89 of the Act, by December 13, 2024.
The appointment of Drake and the announcement that GWIC would hold the inquiry is of particular interest, as some of the claims in Brittan’s letter fall firmly at the feet of the NSW independent animal welfare and independent integrity regulator, GWIC.
For the record, GWIC is a NSW Government department and operates totally independent of GRNSW.
It was only in late June that GWIC said they were displeased with the way some anti-racing activists were misrepresenting GWIC’s own figures, especially around injuries and euthanasia.
For Brittan’s part, he is reported to have claimed in his letter that euthanasia figure were up to three times higher than what GWIC were reporting.
GRNSW has no role in reporting those figures.
GRNSW, who are still proceeding with their own inquiry, have welcomed the GWIC inquiry and Drake’s appointment.
“Ms Drake is one of Australia’s most respected and distinguished investigators and mediators with a reputation for forensic enquiry and critical thinking,” GRNSW’s Acting CEO Wayne Billett said.
“We welcome the opportunity for external examination of our processes and record, including the modernisation process that has been undertaken in recent years.
”We look forward to seeing the Terms of Reference once they have been determined.”
Those terms of reference have now been published and are as follows:
GWIC Inquiry Terms Of Reference
- Greyhound welfare and the care of greyhounds by GRNSW, including management and compliance with welfare standards and any welfare concerns relating to GRNSW’s management of greyhound adoption and rehoming programs, including facilities, and its other functions under the Act;
- GRNSW processes and management, including procurement and recruitment practices, and concerns regarding any alleged or identified conflicts of interest and the management of conflicts of interest;
- Accuracy and reporting by GRNSW in relation to greyhounds and whether that reporting represents the true state of the greyhound racing industry, including the welfare of greyhounds and the state of related programs under GRNSW’s control, awareness and oversight;
- Performance and effectiveness of GRNSW’s functions under the Act and the GRNSW Operating Licence in relation to racecourse safety, management and compliance with minimum track standards;
- GRNSW management’s response to complaints or concerns regarding organisational and workplace culture and conduct or any other related matters arising in the inquiry;
- Such other matters arising in the course of the inquiry into the matters above that the Acting Commissioner considers relevant.
Notably there appears to be little to no reference to GWIC in the terms of reference, despite many of the alleged claims falling under their umbrella.
The GWIC Acting Commissioner (Drake) must report to the Racing Minister and GWIC in accordance with section 89 of the Act by December 13, 2024.