The scathing findings of the Murrihy report vindicate every participant who stood up to, reported and raced against Ben Yole Racing and are a damning indictment on the Liberal government.
The report paints a disturbing picture of years of failure and non-existent Ministerial oversight, outlining massive corruption, race fixing and animal welfare breaches, which should horrify every Tasmanian.
The former Minister Madeleine Ogilvie simply referred the complaints about the Office of Racing Integrity back to the Office of Racing Integrity.
Then, to make matters even worse, the Minister Felix Ellis reappointed the then Director of Racing Justin Helmich while he was effectively under investigation and despite BOTRA having no confidence in him.
Minister Ellis’ only new announcement today is that he is commissioning an independent panel to review his independent expert. There is no one more qualified or more respected that Ray Murrihy in racing. There is more than enough evidence to stand Ben Yole down.
For Mr Ellis to say today that was shocked by the Murrihy report shows just how hopeless and pathetic these Ministers have been. The entire industry has known this has been going on for years – except seemingly Ministers Ogilvie and Ellis.
Are we really going to have race meetings this weekend featuring a trainer found to have abused his horses and commissioned team driving?
If Mr Ellis is serious about fixing the industry he has no choice but to stand down Ben Yole – today.
Tasmania’s racing industry cannot continue like this. The findings of abuse of horses, race fixing and team driving are incredibly serious. And we still don’t know what has happened with the allegations of sexual harassment, wage theft and tax evasion.
It is a disgrace that Mr Yole has been allowed to race for the past two months and if he is allowed to field runners on the weekend, Tasmanian racing will be a national joke.
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Racing
