Victorian Racing Integrity Commissioner Sean Carroll will head up Tasmania's new-look integrity structure as the state government looks to put behind it a troubled chapter in the Apple Isle’s racing industry.
Carroll, who has been in the Victorian role for three-and-half years, will assume the role as the State’s first Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner next month.
The role, appointed by the Governor, was created as part of a major legislative shake-up which resulted in the end of the previous Office of Racing Integrity, with integrity and welfare functions to be split between the Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner and Tasracing.
“The opportunity to shape and deliver the largest integrity reforms in decades through the Racing Regulation and Integrity Bill is one I welcome,” Carroll said.
“This model is based on evidence and industry best practice, and I am looking forward to my role in its implementation.
“Getting out and meeting with participants and industry across all the codes and gaining a better understanding of their needs and challenges will be my key focus.”
ORI had gone through eight changes of director in seven years, while major integrity issues erupted in all three racing codes. The Rockliff government announced it would abolish the ORI last year but the required legislation wasn’t passed until August.
The government has targeted a high-profile recruit for the new Racing Integrity Commissioner role, and has convinced Carroll to cross Bass Strait.
Before his Victorian government role, he was previously Head Of Integrity and Security at Cricket Australia.
“We are very pleased to appoint Mr Carroll to this role, which is central to delivering on our commitment to introduce a racing framework based on best practice,” Racing Minister Jane Howlett said.
“The reforms, which were passed into legislation in September, will deliver a contemporary, effective, and fit for purpose model for regulation and integrity.
“Mr Carroll will have extensive powers to set integrity and animal welfare standards and comprehensive investigatory functions across all three codes of racing in Tasmania – harness, thoroughbred, and greyhound.”
Bren O’Brien
The legislative changes will come into effect on February 1, with Tasracing to become operationally responsible for all three codes of racing, including pre-race day and race day management, stewards, and animal welfare.
“We will always back the racing industry because it supports families and jobs in rural and regional communities, generates close to $208 million in economic activity per year, and involves more than 6,400 people across Tasmania,” Howlett said.
“Racing is a big part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, and we are getting on with the job of delivering that Plan.”
