Sean Carroll has been appointed as Tasmania’s inaugural Racing Integrity Commissioner as part of extensive reforms to the state’s racing industry.
Carroll, who has held the position of Victorian Racing Integrity Commissioner since March 2021, will oversee the harness, thoroughbred and greyhound industries in Tasmania.
Racing Minister Jane Howlett said Carroll’s appointment is aimed at restoring faith in the industry.
“Mr Carroll will have extensive powers to set integrity and animal welfare standards and comprehensive investigatory functions across all three codes of racing in Tasmania,” she said.
The reforms, passed into legislation in September and set to become law in February, aim to create a “contemporary, effective and fit for purpose model for regulation and integrity”.
Under the new structure, Tasracing will be responsible for all three racing codes, including pre-race day and race day management, stewards and animal welfare.
Tasracing CEO Andrew Jenkins welcomed Carroll’s appointment and the new industry model.
“The powers available to the new unit, which will clearly be supported by staff with the necessary experience for this role, to set best practice integrity and animal welfare standards are most welcome.”
Carroll said he is excited to begin implementing the reforms.
“Getting out and meeting with participants and industry across all the codes and gaining a better understanding of their needs and challenges will be my key focus,” Carroll said.
“The opportunity to shape and deliver the largest integrity reforms in decades through the Racing Regulation and Integrity Bill is one I welcome.”
The reforms include $1.9 million in funding for the new integrity model, including the establishment of the Commissioner role.
