Matthew McGrath to lead new-look RQ board

Queensland racing minister Tim Mander has made sweeping changes to the Racing Queensland board, with Matthew McGrath appointed as chair in the new era for the racing authority.

McGrath, who led a thorough review of Queensland racing at Mander’s behest last year, delivering the Queensland Racing review which formed the basis of The Next Lap strategic plan, is one of six new appointments to the RQ board.

The former Australian Turf Club chair assumes the leadership spot left vacant by acting chair Jane Seawright’s departure from the board last week. Seawright had replaced long-term chair Steve Wilson on his retirement last October.

McGrath was chairman of the ATC from 2018 until 2022, while he is currently a director with the Cronulla Sharks NRL board. He has a background in running retail telecommunications businesses.

Other appointments to the board include Kym Daly, who helped McGrath author his review, and who has expertise in stewarding and integrity, and Gary Cunningham, the successful businessman who, with his family, is a prolific owner through Cunningham Thoroughbreds and his Ridgmont breeding operation.

Cunningham, whose best horses include Stefi Magnetica, Storm Boy and Golden Slipper favourite Paradoxium, has also been a director of the Queensland Thoroughbred Owners Association

New appointee Michelle Morton, who is based at Townsville, will be representing regional racing interests, while former federal Liberal MP Jane Prentice and public affairs/crisis management professional Sally Branson also join the nine-person board.

Graham Quirk, Jodie Jones and Gary Heath will continue on the Board as the thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing industry members. 

Mander recently updated the Queensland legislation to allow those with ownership interests to serve on the RQ board.

Reform of the board appointment process was part of the McGrath review recommendations, including that all RQ board members be required to hold Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) or equivalent accreditation.   

Of the 110 recommendations made by McGrath’s review, 79 were accepted, 26 accepted in principle and five rejected by Mander.

Among those rejected was a reduction of Queensland’s Point Of Consumption Tax regime from 20 per cent to 15 per cent. That decision was highly unpopular with bookmakers, who felt confident those changes would have a positive impact on punter engagement with Queensland racing.

“The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for the future of Queensland Racing after a decade of inaction from the former Labor government,” Mander said. 

“I am thrilled with the make-up of the Racing Queensland Board, and I am confident they will deliver reforms that will signal a new era for the industry. 

“It was imperative we have a Board that continues to represent the three codes of racing, while adding directors that will champion both integrity and regional and country racing. 

“Racing’s impact on the state is now close to $2.5 billion per year and is responsible for around 14,500 full-time jobs for Queenslanders, so it is vital its governance model is effective and efficient to benefit the State.” 

Also rejected was the 15-point plan for changes to south-east Queensland racing as well as the proposed closure of Albion Park.

Instead, Albion Park is set to become the new headquarters for Racing Queensland and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.

One of the first agenda items on the new board’s agenda will be the chief executive position, currently held on an interim basis by Lachlan Murray. 

Murray replaced Jason Scott in that role in February last year, but his interim status has been extended as the government sorted through the McGrath review and the subsequent changes to the board.