Sal Perna appointed as SA Greyhound Industry Reform Inspector
The South Australian Government has appointed a Greyhound Industry Reform Inspector to ensure that the herculean task of meeting the 57 recommendations of the Ashton report is met within the timeframe allowed.
In December 2023, the Ashton inquiry into allegations of welfare abuse and mismanagement in the South Australian greyhound racing industry made 57 recommendations that would be required to allow the industry to continue in the state.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas made it clear that significant reform and adoption of the Ashton inquiry recommendations needed to occur within two years or the sport could be banned.
Following the release of the report, the incumbent Greyhound Racing South Australia (GRSA) Chief Executive Officer, Bodelle Francis, stood down.
Brenton Scott, a former Senior Racing Manager for Racing Queensland (RQ), took on that position and started working for GRSA in March 2024.
Prior to the RQ role, Scott had been CEO of the NSW Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association (NSW GBOTA) in the years leading up to, and during, the NSW greyhound ban and live baiting controversies.
Since assuming the role, Scott assured SA participant's that he is “totally committed to managing the required reform professionally and with the intention of ensuring we meet and exceed expectations whilst also building a stronger, vibrant and resilient industry”, although no specific details or milestones have yet been revealed.
Scott claims that many of the 57 required reforms are already well advanced, saying that “even prior to the appointment of the GIRI (Greyhound Industry Reform Inspector), GRSA management has been industrious in its readiness for the appointment, progressing to completion of a significant percentage of the recommendations already.”
The South Australian Government today named former Victorian Racing Integrity Commissioner, Sal Perna, as the incoming Greyhound Industry Reform Inspector (GIRI).
Perna is a former police officer who previously headed an inquiry in 2015 that looked into live baiting in greyhound racing in Victoria.
In the GIRI role, Perna will carefully monitor Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA) to ensure compliance with the recommendations put forth by Ashton independent inquiry.
Perna said that there was always room for improvement in racing integrity, saying, “Our racing industries need to operate with integrity, and there is always room for improvement.
“Without integrity, the industry's reputation is damaged, people won't bet, and stakeholders lose confidence.
“It also goes without saying that the welfare of greyhounds must be a priority, not just their racing ability.”
South Australian Recreation, Sport, and Racing Minister, Katrine Hildyard, emphasised the importance of appointing someone with Perna's integrity and leadership qualities to oversee reforms in the industry.
She said Mr Perna would help implement “significant animal welfare, integrity and administrative reforms”.
“The implementation will be carefully overseen by Mr Perna, with Greyhound Racing South Australia clearly expected to deliver the changes.
“A person of this calibre, with this background is absolutely an indication of how seriously we are taking the need for this reform,” Hildyard said.