Racing Integrity Amendment Bill 2022
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill overhauls how disciplinary decisions by racing stewards are reviewed in Queensland's thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing industries. It establishes an independent Racing Appeals Panel to replace the existing system of internal review by QRIC and external review by QCAT, aiming to resolve disputes within days rather than months. The bill also authorises the online publication of stewards' reports and makes several technical improvements to bookmaker licensing rules.
Who it affects
Jockeys, trainers, owners and other racing participants will have their stewards' appeals decided much faster by a specialist panel, but will have fewer opportunities to delay penalties through stay orders. Bookmakers benefit from simplified licensing requirements.
Key changes
- New independent Racing Appeals Panel replaces QRIC internal review and QCAT external review for stewards' racing decisions
- Most reviews must be finalised within 7 business days (20 days for serious disqualification actions)
- Appeals to QCAT limited to questions of law about disqualifications of 3 months or longer — no stay orders where serious animal welfare, safety or integrity risks are involved
- QRIC authorised to publish stewards' race day reports, inquiry reports and elevated substance test results online
- Fingerprint collection for bookmaker licensing removed and bookmaker agent substitution capped at 12 weeks per year for illness
- Self-incrimination protections restored for document production requirements to comply with the Human Rights Act 2019
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee24 Feb 2022View Hansard
Referred to Education, Employment and Training Committee
The Education, Employment and Training Committee examined the Racing Integrity Amendment Bill 2022 and recommended it be passed. The committee made four additional recommendations requesting the Minister clarify key definitions and provisions in the second reading speech, including the scope of 'racing decision', the meaning of 'extent' in penalty appeals, timeframes for publication of stewards' reports, and eligibility for appointment to the new Racing Appeals Panel. The government accepted all five recommendations.
Key findings (5)
- Industry stakeholders raised concerns about the perceived lack of independence in QRIC's internal review process, QCAT's limited racing expertise, and average review times exceeding 200 days.
- The Australian Jockeys Association argued that appeals from the Racing Appeals Panel to QCAT should not be limited to questions of law on disqualification actions, noting other jurisdictions allow appeals on penalty and severity.
- The Queensland Law Society questioned whether the estimated $607,000 annual budget for the new Racing Appeals Panel was adequate and emphasised that QCAT itself needed proper funding to address systemic delays.
- The Crime and Public Integrity Policy Group raised concerns that the Panel's decision register would contain only brief descriptions, which it considered insufficient for transparency and accountability.
- The committee sought clarification on several ambiguous provisions, including the definition of 'racing decision', the meaning of 'extent' in the appeals provision, and eligibility criteria for Panel members.
Recommendations (5)
- The committee recommends the Racing Integrity Amendment Bill 2022 be passed.
- The committee recommends that the Minister in her second reading speech clarify whether a 'racing decision', as defined in clause 24 (proposed section 252AA) of the Bill, includes a decision made by a steward under the rules of racing, irrespective of whether the rules expressly refer to a 'steward' as the decision-maker.
- The committee recommends that the Minister in her second reading speech clarify the intended meaning of 'extent' in clause 24 (proposed section 252AU(2)) of the Bill.
- The committee recommends that the Minister in her second reading speech clarify the timeframes intended to apply to the publication of stewards' reports.
- The committee recommends that the Minister in her second reading speech clarify the eligibility for appointment to the Panel for employees of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, persons registered or licensed by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, and board directors of licensed clubs under proposed s 252BD Eligibility for appointment in clause 24 of the Bill.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading14 Oct 2022View Hansard
▸17 members spoke17 support
As shadow racing minister, announced the LNP would not oppose the bill but criticised the government for taking four years to act on a 2018 discussion paper, leaving the industry in turmoil over appeals, procedural fairness and timeliness of decisions.
“This bill is long overdue. The industry has been crying out for a judicial process that is timely, well-informed, fully credentialed and not only fair but seen to be fair.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill as committee chair, summarising the committee's five recommendations and noting that every submitter was fully supportive of the bill's objectives.
“This is really good, sensible legislation. It continues the Palaszczuk government's investment in Queensland racing and making sure we have one of the best racing calendars in the country.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill while delivering a scathing critique of QRIC's track record, detailing numerous cases where racing participants had their lives ruined by failed prosecutions, inadequate evidence and administrative incompetence.
“Labor's QRIC overcapitalised. There has been a conga line of failures and expensive external and in-house legals.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill, noting the importance of the racing industry to Central Queensland's economy and the need for a review system with racing expertise that delivers timely decisions.
“Going to QCAT can take months and it is likely that a ruling will be made by a person with no or very limited knowledge of the racing industry.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill as a good change that will ensure wrongdoing is dealt with expeditiously and fairly, while criticising shortcomings in the broader QRIC system including lack of racing expertise at QCAT and underfunding.
“Returning to the substance of the bill, what we are seeing is a good change that will make sure that wrongdoing is not able to continue at length because of stays provided by the current process.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill but emphasised the government's six-year delay in fixing known problems with the integrity framework, arguing the bill came too late for the many victims of the flawed system.
“This bill is too late for the victims. Whilst we will not oppose the bill, we need to call out the failures of the ministers opposite.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill, highlighting the economic contribution of the racing industry and the need for public confidence in stewards' decisions, while noting data showing over 40 per cent of QCAT reviews were withdrawn before final decision.
“It is absolutely paramount that we do what we can to ensure public confidence in the integrity of an industry that provides so much economic growth and development and local jobs right throughout our state.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill, detailing the committee's recommendations and noting the average 200-day QCAT review time was disgraceful, while asking the minister to clarify eligibility provisions around partial ownership of licensed animals.
“It is disappointing for the racing industry that the government has taken almost four years to address the concerns stated by the industry.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill, providing historical context on racing fraud cases and emphasising the importance of QRIC's role in safeguarding animal welfare and maintaining public confidence.
“Since the introduction of the QRIC and the shining of an independent spotlight on activities both on and off the track, consultation with stakeholders and government has continued.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill while criticising Labor's mismanagement of the racing industry since 2015, noting the government had implemented only 10 of 15 recommendations from the 2015 greyhound inquiry after seven years.
“The government claims that the racing industry is important yet it takes years to address key industry issues. The lack of action makes those words hollow claims, mere lip-service.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill, reminding the House that the LNP opposed the original Racing Integrity Act in 2016, and praising the government's investment in racing infrastructure including the new greyhound facility at Ipswich.
“It is this side of politics that cares about the integrity of racing in this state.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill while reading out a lengthy list of QRIC integrity failures and errors to demonstrate why reform was urgently needed, and criticised the minister for taking four years to address known problems.
“Why has it taken four years, Minister? Why has it taken four years to fix up the integrity problems?”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill, defending the government's reform timetable and challenging the opposition to introduce private members' bills if they believed change was too slow, while highlighting the importance of racing to regional communities.
“This is a bill that I am very proud to support. It demonstrates the Palaszczuk government's commitment through our budget in 2022 to long-term funding to the Queensland racing industry.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill, emphasising the importance of stewards and integrity to public confidence in racing, while urging the minister to ensure the right people with industry experience are appointed to the new appeals panel.
“Justice delayed is justice denied.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill, highlighting racing facilities across all three codes in Ipswich and the new $39.15 million greyhound racing centre at Purga, while summarising the committee's five recommendations.
“In order for the racing industry in Ipswich and other areas to prosper we need strong animal welfare laws to be enforced and we need confidence in the integrity of the racing industry.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Supported the bill, comparing the new Racing Appeals Panel to judiciary panels in other sports like Rugby League, and welcoming the streamlined time frames for resolving appeals.
“Racing is like any other sport. It is important that there is integrity within the sport.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Replied as Minister for Racing, defending the reform timeline as delayed by COVID-19, highlighting the racing industry's 60 per cent economic growth under the Palaszczuk government, and emphasising the quality standards for panel appointments.
“The economic contribution of the Queensland racing industry has soared almost 60 per cent under the Palaszczuk government to a record nearly $2 billion.”— 2022-10-25View Hansard
Assent date: 31 October 2022