'BRETT WINTEC’ makes a return as a contributor to the Whinge and as usual is quite controversial:

 ‘DUE to his political allegiances the pressure must surely be mounting on Kevin Dixon to resign his position at Racing Queensland to let the  three codes of racing move forward under the new Labor Government. 

Whilst taking a break from work early last week I saw Mr Dixon walking around George Street and he appeared to be in a very distressed state. I sense that his mood hasn’t improved any with the Labor Ministry now sworn in and the LNP confirming that they will not contest the decision in regards to Ferny Grove.

Mr Dixon should do the right thing and move over gracefully, as should those in the administration who have aided this little fellow during his three-year reign.

As if the current debacles with Eagle Farm (closed for racing without Government approvals in place), Toowoomba (closed for racing due to major issues with the new $7mn track) and Townsville (closed for racing without Government approvals in place), aren’t enough, we now find out that barbaric practices have been being undertaken within the greyhound industry on Mr Dixon’s watch. 

It is unconscionable to accept that Racing Queensland was unaware of these practices. The 4 Corners episode highlighted the number of greyhound participants involved.

One must ask Mr Dixon how this could occur without the knowledge of the Integrity Department of Racing Queensland. I firmly believe that anyone within greyhound administration, who has turned a blind eye to these practices, should be prosecuted in-line with the offenders.

I awoke this morning to news that Mr Dixon’s best mate, Mr Bart Sinclair was the negotiator in a deal requiring racing industry funding and race dates, to enable the LNP to woo Shane Knuth and Robbie Katter. 

It is totally unacceptable that the racing industry be utilized by Mr Sinclair, the LNP and presumably Mr Dixon, to encourage support for the LNP from the Katter Party. Whilst unacceptable, it is this type of arrogance that we had come to expect from Mr Dixon, Mr Sinclair and the LNP.

It’s clear to all and sundry that Racing Queensland has become completely aligned to the LNP under Kevin Dixon’s direction.  The industry needs a change to ensure a harmonious working relationship can be developed with the new Government.

Kevin, the best advice I can give you is to fall on your sword for the betterment of the wider industry.’

MESSAGE TO MERGER MASTERMIND: ‘BLISTERS ONLY APPEAR WHEN HARD WORK IS DONE’

FORMER RQ Chairman, BOB BENTLEY, is becoming a regular contributor to the Whinge (he would hardly get a run with the media mates of Kevin Dixon) and we welcome his views. As usual if the RQ Chairman wishes to respond, we would welcome a reply, but expect as usual that he will ignore any form of constructive criticism in the hope that it will go away. Unfortunately for him, there has been a change of Government and these comments aren’t going to simply be ignored by those above him as has happened in the past couple of years.   

‘I noted a letter in the last Wednesday Whinge which made claim to Kevin Dixon doing a good job in merging the QTC/BTC to form the Brisbane Racing Club. What absolute tripe!

While the writer may have felt he was telling the truth the reality is that the Dixon PR machine has continually promoted Dixon as the father of the merger.

Furthermore, when the merger misnomer is peddled by certain media friends of Dixon, he does not man up and is happy to take the credit.

Can we once and for all get the history right and acknowledge those who were the real workers in driving the merger of the BTC/QTC?

In January 2005 Rob Schwarten (then Racing Minister) appointed Kevin Dixon to drive the merger of the BTC/QTC and the Government provided funds in excess of $5mn to cover expenses and consultancy fees.

 The industry remains unaware of how these funds were disbursed or who were the recipients.

 Was Kevin Dixon paid for his services as it has never been disclosed?

 By June 2006, the BTC Board walked away from any further merger discussions. Any fair thinking person would mark that down as a failure to complete the task allocated to Kevin Dixon.
In the third quarter of 2007 Wayne Purchase, Paul Williams and the late Randy Pascual were appointed to the BTC Board under the chairmanship of Ms Mary Collier. A vote to merge was put to members of the BTC in November 2007. The membership voted against the merger.

In protest (and by agreement) Purchase and Williams resigned from the BTC Board.

December 2007 saw a member ballot for the two vacant Board positions undertaken which resulted in Wayne Milner and Ms Kerrina King being appointed to the Board.

Interestingly, the ‘father of the merger’, Kevin Dixon, was invisible and not to the forefront in nominating for a Board position.

During January 2008 negotiations by Milner with the existing members of the BTC Board, saw Collier, Cannon, Ryan, Johnson and Milligan resign. At this stage Wayne Milner was installed as interim Chairman of the Brisbane Turf Club.

In March 2008, following a member vote, Purchase, Williams, Tinniswood, Tighe and Dixon were elected to the BTC Board. 

Immediately following this Wayne Milner was reconfirmed as Chairman of the Brisbane Turf Club and led this team to a successful ‘YES’ vote to merge with the QTC in August 2008.

You would note that Kevin Dixon appeared to slip away between June 2005 and early 2008 when a number of hard working BTC members were driving the plan to merge the BTC/QTC and only reappeared when all the hard slog had been completed.

His actions remind one of the stage play: ‘The Best Little Whore House in Texas’, and the song, ‘Oh I Like to Side Step. Now You See Me, Now You Don’t’.’

NEW RACING MINISTER SHOULD BE ASKING WHY RQ ALLOWED GREYHOUND DEBACLE TO OCCUR

ALBERT WILLIAMS, of REDCLIFFE, makes his very welcome and weekly contribution to the Whinge:

‘THE honeymoon will be over very quickly for Queensland’s surprise new selection as Racing Minister in Bill Byrne from Rockhampton.

The greyhound industry crisis, brought about by the 4 Corners revelations, should be high on his agenda.

Here’s hoping the new Minister asks a few questions about why the situation was allowed to reach such a stage in Queensland and whether the Board and the stewards had any inkling it was so serious.

Pressure is already mounting from within and outside the Government for Kevin Dixon and some of his cronies to be replaced on the RQ Board.

An interesting scenario is about to emerge for the new Minister if you listen to those supposedly in the know in the Labor Party.

There are suggestions that Bill Ludwig wants to see the back of Kevin Dixon but another former Labor heavyweight Rob Schwarten (who retired from the Rockhampton seat that Bill Byrne now occupies) is a supporter of the RQ Chairman having appointed him to oversee the merge of the QTC and BTC.

If Dixon were to be shown the door – and anyone who has followed the running of racing in Queensland won’t wear his claims of being apolitical – then who would his replacement be.

There are all sorts of rumors but the two highest on the list doing the rounds are former Racing Minister Bob Gibbs and the one-time deputy chairman of the Dixon All Codes Board in Barry Taylor who resigned claiming a lack of consultation on important issues.

Gibbs’ critics say his appointment would open old wounds with those who haven’t forgotten that he was the Racing Minister responsible for the dismantling of the Queensland Turf Club as the control body and replacing it with Queensland Racing.

They also believe Gibbs is too close to former Toowoomba Turf Club chairman Neville Stewart and some of the ‘in crowd’ at Deagon who have proved great political fence jumpers.

One of my mates commented recently: ‘Old trainer so-and-so (name with-held) would have caught his balls in the barbed wire fence getting back on side with Labor – that’s if he had any’.

And, of course, there would be the problem of ‘Dr Dolittle’making a comeback to the Gibbs’ fold – if for nothing else but a highly paid consultancy.

And then there is that great surviving member of a prominent racing family who almost needed a bucket of water to be removed from the new RQ Chairman’s rear-end at Toowoomba one feature night after he had jumped ship from the Gibbs-Merri Rose bunker to the LNP and is now back in the Labor fold no doubt hoping for a key Racing Department role.

It’s all finger down the throat stuff and there are too many skeletons in the Gibbs closet for him to run racing – regardless of whether he has the background credentials or not.

As for Barry Taylor, well is he interested in the job?

There are plenty who say he has the business and racing blend, not to mention the mongrel needed to clean out the closet at Deagon not to mention knowing where some of the current Board’s skeletons are buried – or so the rumor mill suggests.

And one thing’s for sure – coming from the north – there would be end to the favoritism shown to some clubs in the south – like Toowoomba in particular, which has become a sore point among so many racing stakeholders since Kevin Dixon took control.

Here’s hoping the new Racing Minister listens to the right people, doesn’t fall for the Dixon coat-tuggers who no doubt would already have welcomed him with open arms and told him what a great job little King Kev has done for the industry – not to mention the LNP Government, the BRC, the Toowoomba and Kilcoy clubs just to mention a few who have been rewarded for their loyalty.’

WARNING TO NEW RACING MINISTER: ‘BE WARY OF GUIDANCE GIVEN AT THE LOCAL’

ANDREW CONNOR of the SUNSHINE COAST sent this email:

‘BEING from the old school of allowing any individual sufficient space and time to earn his ‘stripes’’ I just hope our new Racing Minister (in Queensland) is a genius, sews up his water proof pockets and makes some progress to improve racing - overnight.

If I may be so bold Mr Minister can I make ONE suggestion?

Being a former Commanding Officer of CQ 42^nd Battalion RQR you will sort out the ‘termites’ in the industry without any guidance.

I would like to suggest to you that if you have a problem and need to run your ‘concerns’ past a genuine person that you speak with a man that you have had dealings with in the past.

I refer to Jim Rundle – I have no idea how long I have known of Jim and his family – at a guess I would say near on 50 years.

Jim may not give you the answers you are looking for and they may not be correct all the time. But there is one thing I can assure you, he will answer you honestly and to the best of his ability. He won’t be thinking of racing in any particular region or for the benefit of his own family.

He will be looking for the good of the sport in the State.

A word of warning - IF you have to go to the pub to get some ‘guidance’ on a racing issue you will lose your ‘Command’ very quickly.

Further, do not be ‘taken in’ if you are burdened with the presence of a fellow traveler on your staff with a ‘like’ background to your own.’

WILL STEVE ‘FURLONG IN FRONT’ DICKSON RETAIN THE OPPOSITION RACING PORTFOLIO?

DOUG ANTHONY of TOWNSVILLE poses the question:

‘WHILST there is a new Minister for Racing and congratulations goes to the Member for Rockhampton, the other question is: Who will be the Opposition Shadow Minster for Racing.

Steve Dickson was doing such a wonderful job for the Newman Government that most normal people would consider that he would retain the Portfolio in Opposition. This would have to be odds on given that the LNP numbers have been reduced considerably following the election.

All will be revealed by the end of the week so says the LNP Leader Lawrie ‘the Loser’ Springborg.

I wonder who it will be. 

Let’s hope whoever it is has a general interest in racing and will keep the Government and also Racing Queensland honest.

Any odds on Tim Nichols being the Opposition shadow Minster for Racing or will he stick to Opposition Shadow Treasurer, a role that goes hand in hand with his previous Government portfolio.

We will just have to wait and see.

Yes these are very interesting times ifn Queensland politics!

MEDIA REPORTS INVOLVING CONTOUR CONSULTING ENGINEERS ‘GREATLY EXAGGERATED’

 CONTOUR Consulting Engineers, a company that copped plenty of criticism in the lead-up to and during the latest Racing Commission of Inquiry in Queensland, got a mention in an email from former RQ Chairman Bob Bentley to the Wednesday Whinge last week. We thought it might be appropriate, now that there has been a change of Government, to let Contour have their say on what the Racing Commission of Inquiry described as ‘exaggerated reports’ of what the company made contractually from RQ.

HERE is the response that BRETT THOMSON, CONTOUR DIRECTOR, has provided:

‘WE appreciate you contacting Contour Consulting Engineers (Contour) and providing an opportunity for us to respond to a recent post on your website, which made mention of Contour’s involvement in the 2013 Queensland Racing Commission of Inquiry, and events leading up to the inquiry being called. 

We feel it is important for Queenslanders to understand the facts surrounding Contour’s involvement with Racing Queensland Limited, and the Queensland Racing Commission of Inquiry, including the actions of LNP Ministers, and Racing Queensland Limited Directors and senior management.

Contour was contacted by the media in early 2013 regarding allegations that we were awarded $150mn+ in contracts. We understood that the media and their subsequent articles were in some way relying on a report by Deloitte, although at that time Contour had no knowledge of this report. In response to the media articles Contour wrote directly to the Acting CEO of Racing Queensland Limited, Adam Carter, (copying the Racing Minister, Attorney General, and Deloitte). We have enclosed a copy of our correspondence to Adam Carter dated 22 April 2013, which outlined details of our involvement with Racing Queensland Limited, and confirmed that the fees paid to Contour during the prior six year period we consulted to  Racing Queensland Limited, amounted to approximately $5.8mn. We consider that this correspondence clearly demonstrated to those parties that significant inaccuracies and misinformation was being distributed by the media.

Although acknowledgement of our correspondence was received from the aforementioned parties, inaccurate information continued to be disseminated in this regard. Hence, we remain extremely disappointed that Contour’s attempts to confirm facts, appear to have been ignored by the media, LNP Ministers, Racing Queensland Limited and Deloitte. 

We note with interest comments on your website last week attributed to Bob Bentley, which outlined that during the period leading up to the Inquiry, the Racing Queensland Limited administration:

1.      Instructed Deloitte NOT to interview former executive staff; and

2.     Instructed Deloitte NOT to amend their report following receipt of the aforementioned correspondence from Contour. 

 This is very concerning as there is little doubt that information from the Deloitte Report was utilized as cornerstone issues in the justification for the calling of the Queensland Racing Commission of Inquiry.

 In the above context, note the following statement by Counsel Assisting the Commission, James Bell QC, during his opening address to the Queensland Racing Commission of Inquiry.

 “There have been allegations in the press to the effect that Contour was awarded either $150 million or $20 million worth of contracts without tender. It is clear that those figures have been greatly exaggerated, and Contour, in fact, earned something like $5.5 million from what was extensive and ongoing Queensland Racing and Racing Queensland work during more than five years of the relevant period.”

 The above was also reiterated within the findings of the Queensland Racing Commission Inquiry, which reported:

 “First, as the April 2013 Deloitte report itself observed, Deloitte (on instructions from RQL) did not have any contact with Mr Tuttle or Mr Brennan in the preparation of that report. Deloitte also did not have any contact with Contour or access to its records of the transactions and processes in question.  The Commission has, by contrast, received detailed evidence from Mr Tuttle and Mr Brennan, and directors of Contour including Mr Thomson, and been able to examine Contour’s extensive project files.

 Second, it should be made clear at the outset that the Commission has not identified any basis to find that Contour, Mr Tuttle or Mr Brennan engaged in sharp practice or did anything dishonest or corrupt in relation to the engagement of Contour…..  There is also no basis for a positive finding that any of the projects in which Contour was involved did not deliver value for money…..

 Third, the observation made in the opening address of counsel assisting on 19 September 2013 should now be repeated: the allegations made in the press and elsewhere, to the effect that Contour was awarded either $150 million or $20 million worth of contracts, are greatly exaggerated.”

 Contour remains very concerned that the calling of a Commission of Inquiry was in some part based on spectacularly wrong information. We also remain concerned by the actions of Racing Queensland Limited personnel in allowing media reports to continue uncorrected.  

 Notwithstanding the above, Contour is very proud of our achievements in the design and supervision of projects for Racing Queensland Limited for the period 2007 to 2012.  During our involvement, we developed an extensive knowledge of fundamental requirements relevant to racing and training infrastructure, facilities and protocols. We utilized this knowledge to assist Racing Queensland Limited in the selection of cost-effective, robust infrastructure, based on design principles and construction methodologies that were in-line with stakeholder requirements specific to the relevant venues and climatic conditions. 

 A good example of this is the Mackay track, which was designed and supervised by Contour. We understand that Mackay, by all reports, is now one of the best racing surfaces in Australia.  In designing this track we took into account the rainfall relevant to the area, the likely racing program for the venue, and the training requirements of stakeholders. The Mackay track is just one example of Contour’s project delivery processes that have resulted in tracks and infrastructure of exceptional quality, at a budget cost, resulting in value for money for the Queensland Racing Industry. 

 Contour maintains involvement in racing and sporting projects in Queensland, interstate and internationally.  Contour as a Queensland owned and operated company look forward to continuing our involvement on racing projects in Queensland into the future.  Further to the above, and for the sake of clarity, Contour wishes to confirm that it has had no involvement in the design and/or supervision of the new turf track at Toowoomba.

 EDITOR’S NOTE: PERHAPS the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Contour was contracted to build Mackay – now rated one of the best all-weather tracks in Australia. They weren’t used in the outrageous waste of industry funds to rebuild Toowoomba – and look at what a disaster that project has been.  

 
 QUESTION HAS TO BE ASKED: ‘WERE AUTHORITIES IGNORING LIVE BAITING ALLEGATIONS’?

MARY JACKSON of GOLD COAST sent this thought provoking email:

‘IN the light of the shocking allegations of ‘live baiting’ in greyhound racing throughout Australia, the question has to be asked whether the authorities were the authorities ignoring allegations concerning this practice.

Why did it take an undercover operation involving Animal Liberationists and the RSPCA to reveal the deplorable underbelly of greyhound racing and get the police involved?

What were those responsible for policing this – like the Integrity Departments and stewards of the code – doing while all this was happening right under their noses not to mention it involved some of the leading trainers in the land?

Isn’t it amazing how Racing Queensland – on the eve of the 4 Corners report which they refused to participate in – was quick to announce a $1 million task force to fight live baiting. Too little too late fellows – the damage has already been done while your so-called stewards have – one might suggest – been sitting on their hands.

The Task Force is to be chaired by Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner, Jim O’Sullivan, a former Police Commissioner in Queensland. With all due respects one might ask the question what Mr O’Sullivan has achieved since he took on this new role. Many would argue that during this time we have seen allegations involving all three codes, not to mention the cobalt controversy in racing and now this terrible situation at the dogs which seems to be at the forefront in Queensland.

Damage control started in Victoria only the week before the 4 Corners report after police and RSPCA officers raided a greyhound training centre in Tooradin. Similar to Queensland, the sport’s stewards in Victoria moved quickly to stand down trainers allegedly involved.

Among those was the dual Australian Greyhound Trainer of the Year, Darren McDonald, who was seen on 4 Corners surveillance footage allegedly carrying a piglet inside a sack into the Tooradin property where dogs mauled it to death.

Interestingly, the report also shamed successful Victorian trainer Stuart Mills, whose brother Andrew is a former deputy Chief Steward for Greyhound Racing Victoria and now the regulator’s chief racing grader.

Another former Greyhound Racing Victoria steward, Paul Aderton, was allegedly caught training his dogs with live bait.

It just goes from bad to worse. 4 Corners produced 17 videos of alleged live baiting and those interviewed on the program feared the problem was widespread and much worse.

What has incensed those who watched the program most was a prominent trainer excitedly telling a colleague to smash a baby possum’s head in while its mother, tied to the lure and awaiting death, had to watch.

What sort of punishment is appropriate for these disgusting individuals you might ask, especially when two Australians are about to face the firing squad in Indonesia for drug smuggling?

Is that a worse crime – you be the judge – better still ask the Animal Liberationists or anyone who deplores cruelty to harmless piglets, possums and rabbits.’  

WILL THE IMAGE OF GREYHOUND RACING EVERY RECOVER FROM THIS DISASTER?

BARNEY WILSON of IPSWICH sent this contribution about the greyhound controversy:

‘I will never bet on or watch a greyhound race again after viewing that disgusting footage on the 4 Corners program which uncovered a side of the so-called sport that most of us thought no longer existed.

Those trainers responsible – some of them big names in greyhound racing in this country – who allegedly allowed live possums, piglets and rabbits to be mauled to death by their dogs have no place in society in this country, let alone the sport.

They are entitled to their day in court but the surveillance footage doesn’t lie and if these poor excuses for human excrement aren’t banned from the sport for life and then throw in jail the authorities will not be doing their jobs.

All of a sudden we have the politicians and racing administrators declaring the practice of live baiting as ‘barbaric, abhorrent and (hold your breath) illegal’. And we will have the apologists for dog racing declaring that only a handful of bad eggs are involved.

It is going to be a bit hard to convincing a disbelieving world when they consider some of those allegedly involved who should have been setting a better example not to mention the achievement awards that they have won.

It will be a long time before greyhound racing recovers from this disgusting revelation of animal cruelty – an underbelly of the sport that will haunt it forever.’

‘PERHAPS IT’S TIME TO CLOSE GREYHOUND RACING DONE UNTIL THIS IS SORTED OUT’

GLEN MORRIS of TOWNSVILLE writes:

‘BEFORE we start hearing about all the good people involved in greyhound racing and how this was only a handful of bad eggs that have catapulted the sport into notoriety, might I suggest it should be closed down for an indefinite period?

The cries will go up about those who will be left out of work – well if you get involved in an industry like this that’s the risk you take – or how betting revenue will be lost (that’s already very likely with any thinking punter not prepared to ever again bet on greyhound racing).

We will have all these promises from the politicians and the sport’s administrator to wipe out live baiting practices and to clean up dog racing. But this horror is not going to simply disappear overnight. It is a skeleton that will remain in the greyhound closet forever.

More importantly if those allegedly caught on the 4 Corners surveillance footage giving greyhounds live kills are not dealt with appropriately, never again will there be any confidence in the sport.

They have to be made an example of – life bans from training or involvement in greyhound racing and hopefully the courts will send them to jail for a significant amount of time.

As for the authorities and the integrity people who have been shown up by the Animal Liberation investigators and the RSPCA, well they should all be sacked for failing to do their jobs.

As for the Boards responsible for the decision-making process in greyhound racing well the Governments should ensure that these members are replaced immediately by people who will ensure that this never occurs again. A good place to start would be Queensland.’

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in the above e-mails should not be interpreted as those of JOHN LINGARD, the owner-editor of the letsgohorseracing web-site. That is why he has added an ‘EDITOR’S NOTE’. Every endeavor is made to verify the authenticity of contributors. We welcome any reasonable and constructive responses from parties or individuals.