PRESSURE is mounting for the Queensland Government to consider an alternative structure for the integrated control body for the three racing codes to that proposed by Queensland Racing chairman Bob Bentley.
There is growing support statewide for a Governance framework and organizational structure formulated by Gerard Betros, an associate lecturer and unit leader from the Faculty of Business at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba.
Mr Betros has impressed some key industry figures and stakeholders who have read his review that has just completed, which is entitled: ‘Instigating Development in the Racing Industry towards an appropriate Governance Framework and Structure for the Queensland Racing Industry.”
The Government is under pressure not to fast-track the legislation, purely based on the Bentley blueprint for an integrated control body for the three codes. The industry is calling for greater public disclosure and protesting a lack of consultation on the issue. There is a call for the Betros Report to be circulated widely in the industry and considered first by the Government.
Mr Bertos, in proposing a different control board structure, argues that ‘because primary racing participants provide the racing function, it is more accurate to describe them as owners of the industry rather than key stakeholders. In their capacity as owners, the Control Board is legally bound by their fiduciary duty to be fully accountable.
‘Because the two-tier has failed to provide accountability, it is proposed that the new Control Board should feature a non-hierarchical structure that will consist of 11 board members, all of whom will be afforded full directorship status.
The Control Board will therefore consist of:
- 3 representatives of the primary participant groups, namely, breeders, trainers, and race clubs
- 3 representatives from the racing codes the harness, thoroughbred and greyhound racing codes
- 1 representative of country racing
- 1 representative of license-holders (excluding trainers)
- 2 chief development coordinators to facilitate the needs of customers, namely owners (Production) and punters (Racing)
- 1 chief integrity officer.’
Because of the concerns being expressed by so many people in the industry, we have decided to provide a copy of the majority of the Bertros Review. We are thankful for the opportunity to circulate it in the best interests of the industry.
We wish to highlight the fact that ‘this Governance framework and organizational structure was created by Gerard Betros and remains the intellectual property of the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba. Any further information and the full review (including apprendices and graphs can be secured by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
