‘All tip, no iceberg‘ – Latham launches extraordinary parliamentary attack on 'part-time' Peter V’landys

Maverick MP Mark Latham has used parliamentary privilege to describe Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys as ‘all tip, no iceberg’ and unleash a tirade of criticism on his performance in both his racing and rugby league roles.

Speaking in the NSW Legislative Council this week, Latham, the former federal opposition leader, and now Upper House independent, lambasted V’landys in a wide-ranging speech.

Among the many topics raised by Latham was the sale of Rosehill, Racing NSW’s legal battles with Racing Victoria, the NRL’s foray into Las Vegas, the appointment of Saranne Cooke as Racing NSW chair, the presence of V’landys lifelong friend John Dumesny on a selection committee for the Racing NSW board, the exodus of people from key roles at Racing NSW and the potential transfer of ownership of the Goulburn racecourse.

Known for his forthright views, Latham, who has been an ATC member for 20 years and has been involved in racehorse ownership and breeding, said the ATC proposal to sell Rosehill “was getting whackier by the day”.

He linked the deal to V’landys, despite Racing NSW taking a backseat role in a member consultation process that is being run by the ATC.

“My advice to the government is not to get caught up with any more Peter V’landys real estate deals. The guy is all tip and no iceberg,” Latham told parliament.

“Racing NSW has a huge range of problems and challenges, and the V’landys strategy has been to paper over them with hoopla events like the Everest.”

The ‘all tip, no iceberg’ reference is a reprise of a line that former Prime Minister Paul Keating famously used to describe federal treasurer Peter Costello. Latham went back to that terminology throughout the speech and also repeatedly referred to V’landys as “part-time Peter”.

“Racing in our state deserves better, especially from the Minns government, which has very quickly drunk the V’landys Kool-Aid,” he said.

He then turned his attention to Cooke, who assumed the permanent role of Racing NSW chair in February.

“Ms Cooke has asked experts in the industry when stallions at stud, like Justify and Trapeze Artist, will come back to racing after the breeding season – a laughable proposition showing that her only knowledge of racing is to say, “Yes, Peter”, whenever she is told what to do,” Latham claimed.

Latham, who had opposed the extension of the previous chair of Racing NSW, Russell Balding, also claimed disbelief that Racing Minister David Harris had no knowledge of the “blatant conflict of interest in having John Dumesny on the selection panel” for Balding’s replacement.

“How could he (Dumesny) have failed to declare a conflict of interest in selecting the new boss for his best friend?” Latham asked.

The presence of Dumesny on the selection panel was first revealed in The Straight last month.

Continuing his speech, Latham switched focus back to Racing NSW, raising concerns over the culture within that organisation.

“In this dictatorship, yes-men are fostered while those who raise legitimate questions and concerns are exiled. Serious senior people – experienced experts in their field – are the backbone of thoroughbred racing,” he said.

“They know the flaws in V’landyism but are ignored, intimidated and marginalised. How can our industry, under so much pressure and with so many challenges for the future, afford to lose these experts and the experience and knowledge they bring with them?”

Peter V'landys. — *Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys has declined to comment on MP Mark Latham’s claims made in NSW Parliament. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)*

He then returned to the Rosehill issue via a reference to the situation at Goulburn District Racing Club, which as The Straight has reported, is considering a deal to hand over ownership of the track to Racing NSW in exchange for $9.5 million in infrastructure funding.

“Racing NSW has a huge range of problems and challenges, and the V’landys strategy has been to paper over them with hoopla events like the Everest.” – NSW MP Mark Latham

“This out-of-control megalomania is happening across the State, unchecked by a Racing Minister who says he has no opinion and cannot get involved in the proposed sale of the second most important asset the NSW industry has, Rosehill racecourse,” Latham said,

“What a shambles! There are alternatives to the sale of Rosehill. The outgoing immediate past chair of the ATC has suggested other property sales – and, of course, the ATC could always look at Canterbury. Rosehill should not be sold. Racing in NSW deserves a lot better than these shonky V’landys real estate deals.”

V’landys declined to comment when contacted by The Straight.