Frustrations have boiled over among racing participants, with the LNP slamming the Palaszczuk Labor Government and Queensland Racing Integrity Commission for failing to deliver integrity and confidence in the industry.
LNP Shadow Minister for Racing John-Paul Langbroek said the growing group of racing participants who have indicated that they have no confidence in Labor’s Queensland Racing Integrity Commission is a tell-tale sign that the QRIC experiment is failing in its core responsibility.
“Justice must be done and it must be seen to be done,” Mr Langbroek said.
“The racing community is at the end of their tether with Labor and QRIC’s lack of action when it comes to integrity concerns, especially with regard to doping.
“The Commissioner’s comments in a Racenet article shows a dismissive attitude towards the complaints made by trainers.
“This doesn’t inspire confidence in QRIC’s willingness to improve standards in this important industry.
“A failure of QRIC is a failure of the Palaszczuk Labor Government.”
Mr Langbroek said Labor’s approach to racing is destroying confidence in, and the reputation of, the racing industry in Queensland.
“Labor’s hands-off approach to racing has resulted in serious issues being handballed to QRIC,” he said.
“Under Labor, QRIC has even been tasked with overseeing the inquiry into their own failure to address animal welfare issues within the industry. It’s another case of Caesar judging Caesar.
“Labor’s unique model costs in excess of $30 million per year doesn’t have the support of licencees, many of whom are fearful of retribution.
“Now is the time for action to improve integrity in an industry that contributes $1.2 billion to our economy.
“The only sure bet is that the LNP is the only party with the drive to improve integrity in the racing industry.”
