A Commission of Inquiry established by the Government of Queensland in Australia has found that the system of self-regulation under which the Queensland greyhound racing industry functions has ‘failed to ensure integrity in the industry and failed to safeguard animal welfare’. The report was commissioned in the wake of footage aired by the ABC which showed greyhound trainers using live animals for baiting greyhounds. The television report revealed damning evidence of live baiting during secret training sessions, in which live piglets, possums and rabbits were catapulted around tracks while being chased, and then killed, by greyhound dogs. The footage also raised claims of alleged widespread cheating and illegal practices in the greyhound racing industry across Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.

After an initial Review into these practices, the powers of investigation were increased by the announcement of a Commission of Inquiry. Its remit was to determine how the misconduct of live-baiting was able to occur without earlier detection; how widespread these practices are; and what changes to governance or compliance arrangements are required to ensure regulatory effectiveness. The final report into live baiting led by the Commissioner of Inquiry, Alan MacSporran QC, was delivered to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday morning.

MacSporran wrote in the 180-page report that the ‘current model is flawed’ and that the Commission had uncovered a ‘gross systemic failure’ in Racing Queensland’s regulation and maintenance of integrity within the industry. The Commission found that Racing Queensland’s ability to meet its obligations to have proper regard for integrity and animal welfare issues was compromised by the ‘conflict of interest inherent in having oversight and control of the commercial and integrity aspects of the business’.

One of the 15 recommendations made by the commissioner included that an alternative model be instated where the commercial and integrity aspects of the industry are completely separated. It recommended a new statutory authority which is dedicated to ensuring the integrity of the Queensland racing industry be created ‘as soon as possible’ and be created in parallel with a review of the incumbent Racing Act 2002 (Qld) (Racing Act).

In a statement issued earlier today, Queensland All Codes Racing Industry Board Chairman Kevin Dixon said that Racing Queensland ‘fully supported the overarching recommendation’ of the Commission to separate the integrity and commercial arms of the organisation. ‘Mr Dixon said the recommendation was consistent with Racing Queensland’s submission to the Commission of Inquiry and was a needed progression following the establishment of the role of the Racing Integrity Commissioner.’