The Commissioner and staff consult and interact with a number of entities, including but not limited to those listed below.
Minister for Racing
The Commissioner is independent of the Minister for Racing but meets with regularly with the Minister to share advice about integrity in racing, animal welfare, and related matters. The Commissioner also meets with other members of Parliament.
Integrity and Animal Welfare Advisory Committee
The Commissioner is advised by the members of a committee established under the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024.
It consists of the following persons:
the Commissioner
a person nominated by Tasracing
a person from the department responsible for the administration of the Biosecurity Act 2019, nominated by the Secretary of that department
a person from the department responsible for the administration of the Animal Welfare Act 1993, nominated by the Secretary of that department
a person nominated by the RSPCA, and
up to two other persons as nominated by the Commissioner.
Tasracing Pty Ltd
Tasracing is Tasmania’s Principal Racing Authority and Controlling Body. It is entrusted with the operations of the Tasmanian racing industry.
Tasracing was established in November 2008 through legislation in the Tasmanian State Parliament. It became a state-owned company on 1 July 2009.
Operating under a constitution and Australian Corporations Law, Tasracing is managed by two members - the Treasurer and the Minister for Racing - who hold shares in it in trust for the people of Tasmania.
The administrative and commercial arm of Tasracing is responsible for the development and promotion of racing in Tasmania.
See more information about Tasracing member’s responsibilities.
Racing Integrity Committee
The Racing Integrity Committee is established under the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 to give advice and make recommendations to Tasracing and the Tasracing Integrity Unit (see below). It comprises two independent persons and two non-executive directors of Tasracing.
Among its functions, the Racing Integrity Committee gives advice and makes recommendations to Tasracing about complex applications for licences and registrations, the appointments and dismissals of stewards and racing officials, and the development of policies, procedures, and guidelines relating to integrity in racing and animal welfare. It is an important part of the ring-fencing of the Tasracing Integrity Unit from the commerical and administrative arm of Tasracing.
See more information on the Racing Integrity Committee.
Tasracing Integrity Unit and Chief Racing Integrity Officer
The Tasracing Integrity Unit is separate from the administrative and commercial arm of Tasracing.
It is responsible for maintaining the probity and integrity of thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing in Tasmania, including by administering the licences and registrations of participants, and by making and enforcing the rules of racing.
The Tasracing Tasracing Unit contains the stewards and other racing officials.
The Chief Racing Integrity Officer is responsible for the operation of the Tasracing Integrity Unit, which must advise the Racing Integrity Committee about the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers.
Tasmanian Racing Appeal Board
The Tasmanian Racing Appeal Board is an independent sporting tribunal with jurisdiction to determine appeals from stewarding decisions and other decisions identified in legislation.
Tasmanian racing industry associations
Australian Trainers’ Association (Tasmania Branch)
Racehorse Owners Association Tasmania
TasBreeders
Tasmanian Jockeys’ Association
Light Harness Tasmania
North Western Tasmania Light Harness Association
Northern Tasmanian Light Harness Association
Breeders, Owners, Trainers and Reinspersons Association (BOTRA) Tasmania
Greyhound Owners, Trainers and Breeders Association (GOTBA) of Tasmania
Australian racing industry associations
Tasmanian authorities and other stakeholders
RSPCA Tasmania - The Commissioner and the RSPCA Inspectorate exchange information relevant to the prevention of cruelty to animals, and animal welfare generally, in racing.
Animal welfare groups - The Commissioner meets with animal welfare advocates and groups to discuss animal welfare initiatives, policies, and concerns.
Tasmania Police and the Commissioner share information as relevant to their functions.
Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission - is an independent body responsible for the regulation of gaming in Tasmania. The Commissioner and the Commission liaise with respect to their functions.
WorkSafe Tasmania and the Commissioner cooperate and exchange information relevant to workplace health and safety and their functions.
Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE Tas) provides policy advice and support to the Minister for Racing. It also provides secretarial support to the Racing Integrity Committee and the Tasmanian Racing Appeal Board. The Commissioner and NRE Tas also interact and exchange information for the purposes of the Biosecurity Act 2009 and the Animal Welfare Act 1993.
Councils - The Commissioner and Tasmanian local government authorities consult and exchange information relevant to their functions.
Wagering service providers - The Commissioner has memoranda of understanding with Australian wagering service providers. The Commissioner uses this arrangement to investigate the wagering practices of people involved in racing.
Other jurisdictions and their authorities
The Commissioner also engages with authorities of other jurisdictions, including racing and integrity bodies, and they exchange information relevant to their functions.