Mander guarantees integrity standards, despite criticisms of new racing model

Racing Minister Tim Mander has been forced to defend his government’s “hybrid” approach to integrity reforms amid mounting criticism of his decision to align the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission’s functions more closely with the state’s regulator.

The integrity strategy outlined under The Next Lap, unveiled by Mander in December, would see a streamlined racing governance model.

Under the plan, stewarding and integrity functions are set to remain the independent responsibility of QRIC, while operational support functions will sit with Racing Queensland.

Respected official Kim Kelly resigned as QRIC’s deputy commissioner last week, citing concerns with the new structure, saying it didn’t align with his views on independence and good governance.

On Thursday in a parliamentary estimates hearing, Mander, who only just returned to the racing portfolio after a two-month absence, explained that the new model is still coming together, over six months after it was outlined in The Next Lap.

“We are still working on that governance model to make sure that we get those efficiencies, but also that we maintain the highest levels of integrity,” he said in response to questions from former Racing Minister and now Shadow Minister Grace Grace.

“So we are determined to have a model that reaches the objectives that we have with regards to getting the efficiencies that the review identified, the potential efficiencies, and at the same time maintaining a high level of integrity.”

Mander said he had spoken to Kelly on several occasions about his concerns, but his resignation was a decision for him alone.

“I’ve had a number of personal conversations, individual meetings with Mr Kelly. He has expressed his views. He has had the opportunity to input into the process that we’re going through at the moment as we go through the implementation plan … and Mr Kelly’s now made the decision that he’s made,” he said.

“I’m sorry to see Mr Kelly go, but I am more than confident on two things. We’ll have somebody capable that will replace his role, and secondly, we will have a model that will address any concerns that people have about a conflict of interest between the governing body and the body that is responsible for the issue.”

Quizzed further about the “hybrid” integrity proposal, Mander said he was confident that standards will be maintained.

“What I can guarantee is that whatever governance model we eventually decide on … we maintain the highest levels of integrity,” he said.

“My answer, in short, to the shadow minister’s question is that, yes, I can guarantee that.”

Mander said the previous integrity model was unsustainable from a cost perspective.

“The model was also, to put it frankly, costing a lot of money, and money that was requiring the government to basically top up every year the operating cost of both organisations,” he said.

“We then went about a process of looking at a governance model that would bring about those efficiencies and gain better coordination and cooperation between the two functions, if you like.”

He said industry consultation had revealed concerns about the previous model and what it was costing the industry.

“I believe that the majority of the racing industry is very supportive of the direction that we’re trying to go with regards to the governance model. They recognise that it’s unsustainable, what’s happened in the past, and that we’ve got to get better efficiencies moving forward,” he said.