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Annual Report 2009-10

2 AnnualReportoftheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner2009-10

AnnualReportoftheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner2009-10 3

ContentsYear in Review7 OverviewoftheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner

8 TheCommissioner’sMessage

11 FunctionsoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner

13 ReviewofIntegrityAssuranceintheVictorianRacingIndustry: TheLewisReport

15 KeyAchievements

19 ReportonOperations

About the Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner20 GovernanceandOrganisationalStructure

21 HumanResourcesManagement

22 WorkforceOverview

23 ManagementandAccountability

Appendix29 DisclosureIndex

30 Finances


The Hon. Rob Hulls, MPMinister for RacingLevel 31 Treasury PlaceEast Melbourne VIC 3002

DearMrHulls

IampleasedtopresenttoyoutheAnnualReportoftheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerfortheyearending30June2010forpresentationtoParliament,inaccordancewithsection37F(1)oftheRacing Act 1958.

Pleasenotethisreportreflectsonlythefourmonthperiodforwhichthisofficehasbeeninoperation.

Yourssincerely

Sal Perna

Racing Integrity Commissioner


Year in ReviewOverview of the Office of the Racing Integrity CommissionerTheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerwasestablishedundertheRacing Act 1958toprovideindependentoversightofintegrityissueswithintheVictorianracingindustry,toreceiveintegrityrelatedcomplaintsandactinaquasi-ombudsmanrole.

TheinauguralRacingIntegrityCommissioner,MrSalPerna,wasappointedon1March2010.TheCommissionerprovidesanannualreporttotheMinisterforRacingwhoisrequiredtotableitbeforetheVictorianParliament.

Our Vision

AVictorianracingindustryinwhichThoroughbreds,StandardbredsandGreyhoundscompetetothebestoftheirnaturalability,freefromtheinfluenceofcrimeandcorruption.

Our Mission

TopromotethehigheststandardsofintegrityassuranceintheVictorianRacingIndustry.

Our Values

TheCommissionerhasadoptedfivekeyvaluestoguidetheworkoftheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner.

Integrity Wewillbeaccountable,fairandtransparent.

Independence Wewillactimpartially,withoutfearorfavour.

Leadership Wearecommittedtobeingattheforefrontofintegrityassurance.

Professionalism Wearededicatedtoachievingexcellence.

Engagement Wewilldevelopsuccessfulpartnershipsbuiltontrust.


The Commissioner’s MessageWelcometotheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner’sinauguralAnnualReport.

I’mpleasedtoprovidethisreportforthe2009-10financialyear,albeiteffectivelyonlyfrom1March2010,beingthedateonwhichmyroleandtheOfficecameintobeingbyvirtueoftheenactmentoftheRacing Legislation Amendment (Racing Integrity Assurance) Act 2009.

IamproudtohavebeenappointedtothepositionoftheinauguralRacingIntegrityCommissionerandtobegiventheopportunitytoestablishanofficewhichcanassurethepublicofaracingindustryinwhichThoroughbreds,StandardbredsandGreyhoundscompetetothebestoftheirnaturalabilityandfreefromtheinfluenceofcrimeorcorruption.

TheinitialworkofmyOfficeduring2009-10hascentredontheestablishmentoftheOffice,includingthedevelopmentofabusinessplanthatoutlinesourstrategicdirectionandkeyfocusareasandthedevelopmentofourfunctionalcapabilities.

The2010-11financialyearwillseethefirstfullyearofoperationoftheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner.ThestrategicobjectivesoftheOfficeforthecomingyearareto:

• engenderpublicconfidenceintheintegrityofVictorianracing;

• developleadershipinracingintegrityassurance;and

• enhanceexistingracingintegrityassuranceprocessesandsystems.

Oneofthekeyinitiativesof2010-11willbetoundertakeanauditofintegrityprocessesandsystemswithineachofthethreeracingcodes.OtherinitiativesoftheOfficein2010-11willinclude:

• thelaunchofaRacingIntegrityHotline,toprovideaconduitforinformationandcomplaintsfromtheracingindustryandmembersofthepublicwhowishtoretaintheiranonymity;

• thelaunchofanOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityWebsite,toensuretimelyandaccurateprovisionofinformationandabilityforuserstobetterunderstandtheroleandresponsibilitiesandcontacttheOffice;and

• theenhancementoftheOffice’sfunctionalareasthroughtheadditionofaninvestigativecapability.


AsindustryandpublicawarenessoftheOfficeincreases,weexpecttoreceiveinformationfromthepublicandmembersoftheracingindustry,eitherdirectlyorviatheRacingIntegrityHotline.

ThecreationofanewstatutoryandindependentbodysuchastheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerrequirescommittedstaffandextraordinaryeffort.Iwishtothankmystafffortheirhighlevelsofenergyandtheirprofessionalisminalreadyachievingsomuchinsuchashorttimeframe.

IalsowishtorecognisethesupportandassistancefromallthoseIhavemetwithtodate.There’snodoubtthatpeopleconnectedtotheracingindustryhaveapassionfortheanimalsandthesport.I’mconfidentthattogetherwecanachieveagreatdealindevelopinganindustrywiththebestpracticeintegrityprocesses.

ThereisawidelyheldviewthatVictoriaisthesportingcapitalofAustraliaandthatwehaveaworldclassracingindustry.Racingisabilliondollarindustry,ageneratorofeconomicrevenue,amajoremployer,akeyentertainmentprovider,andaninternationaltouristdrawcard.

Integrityisthelifebloodofanyhealthyandsuccessfulbusiness.It’smyroletoprovidesupporttotheindustrybyensuringthatthepublicmaintainsconfidenceintheintegrityofracing.

I’dliketoconcludebythankingtheGovernmentfortheopportunitytoserveasthefirstRacingIntegrityCommissioner.Iamhonouredtoserveinthisrole,particularlyinayearthatcelebratesthe150thrunningoftheMelbourneCup.

Sal Perna

Racing Integrity Commissioner


Functions of the Racing Integrity CommissionerThe Racing Act 1958providesfortheRacingIntegrityCommissionertoperformaseveralfunctions.Thesefunctionsareto:

• Conductannualauditsoftheinternalintegrityprocessesandsystems,inwholeorinpart,ofeachcontrollingbody(RacingVictoria[RVL],HarnessRacingVictoria[HRV]andGreyhoundRacingVictoria[GRV])inareasidentified:

• bytheRacingIntegrityCommissioner;or

• bytheRacingIntegrityCommissionerinconsultationwitheachcontrollingbody.

• Conductauditsoutsidethesubjectmatterofanannualauditattherequestofacontrollingbody.

• Investigatecomplaintsmadeabouttheintegrityprocessesandsystemsofacontrollingbody.

• Refercomplaintsabouttheintegrityprocessesandsystemsofacontrollingbodyto:

• ifthecomplaintrelatestoacriminalmatter,VictoriaPolice;

• ifthecomplaintrelatestoanallegedorapparentcontraventionoftherulesofacontrollingbody,therelevantcontrollingbody;

• ifthecomplaintrelatestoanallegedorapparentcontraventionoftheGambling Regulation Act 2003,totheVictorianCommissionforGamblingRegulation(VCGR);

• ifthecomplaintrelatestoanallegedorapparentcontraventionofanyActorsubordinateinstrumentinconnectionwiththeintegrityofracing,therelevantgovernmentagency;or

• ifthecomplaintrelatestoaninternalintegritymatter,theintegritysub-committeeoftheBoardoftherelevantcontrollingbody.

• InvestigatemattersreferredbytheMinisteroracontrollingbody.

• Reportthefindingsofanyinvestigationsconductedintocomplaintsthathavenotbeenreferredtootherbodiesto:

• thepersonthatmadethecomplaint;and

• withorwithoutidentifyingthepersonthatmadethecomplaintorthepersonthatissubjectofthecomplaint,theMinisterortherelevantcontrollingbody(astheRacingIntegrityCommissionerconsidersappropriate).

• Conductownmotioninquiriesthatdonotrelatetoanyspecificcomplaintandmayincludeaninvestigationintosystemicissuesinracing.


• Makerecommendations(ifappropriate)followingtheinvestigationofanycomplaint,inquiryormatterto(astheRacingIntegrityCommissionerconsidersappropriate):

• theMinister;or

• therelevantcontrollingbody.

• DirectaRacingAppealsandDisciplinary(RAD)Boardtohearanddetermineanappealmadebyapersonagainstapenaltyimposedonthepersonundertherulesofacontrollingbodyif:

• thepenaltyimposedisafineofnotmorethan$250;and

• theRacingIntegrityCommissionerconsidersthatitisinthepublicinterestfortheappealtobeheard.

• PerformanyotherfunctionsconferredontheRacingIntegrityCommissionerundertheRacing Act 1958.

TheRacingIntegrityCommissionermayadvisetheMinisterofanyfailurebyacontrollingbodytoimplementoractonarecommendationmadeif:

• beforeadvisingtheMinister,theRacingIntegrityCommissionernotifiesthecontrollingbodyoftheCommissioner’sintentiontoadvisetheMinisterofsuchfailuretoimplementoractonarecommendation;and

• theCommissioneradvisesthecontrollingbodythattheymay,within14daysofreceivingthenotification,respondinwritingtotheCommissionerinrespectofthatnotification,suchresponsetobeprovidedtotheMinisterbytheCommissioner.

Incarryingoutthesefunctions,theRacingIntegrityCommissioneralsoworksto:

• provideadviceonintegrityacrossthethreecodesandtheracingindustry;

• liaisewiththeracingindustryregardingpoliciesandpracticesrelatingtointegrity;

• facilitatetheexchangeofinformationbetweenthecontrollingbodies,VictoriaPolice,VictorianCommissionforGamblingRegulation(VCGR)andotheragenciesasappropriate;and

• strengthenrelationsbetweenallpartiesandimproveinformationsharingbetweentherelevantenforcementagenciesonintegrityrelatedmatters.


Review of Integrity Assurance in the Victorian Racing Industry: The Lewis ReportInMarch2008theVictorianGovernmentappointedJudgeGordonLewis,AMtoleadaprocessofconsultationwithracingindustrycontrollingbodiesandotherstakeholdersonoptionstoensurethatintegrityassurancewithintheindustrywasofthehigheststandard.Thedefinitionof‘integrityservicesandsystems’forthepurposesofthereviewincluded:overallstewardshipandassociatedinvestigations,racedayoperations,bettingcomplianceandregulation,veterinaryservices,drugcontrolandlicensingandregistration.

InprovidinghisfindingstotheGovernment,JudgeLewisadoptedabroadapproachbasedonaviewthatintegrityassuranceservestoensure“…thatthecorrectlyidentifiedanimalscompeteinarace,tothebestoftheirnaturalability,andfreefromtheinfluenceofcorruptpracticesatanylevel.”JudgeLewisidentifiedavenuesforpotentialreform,making63individualrecommendationsforchangestointegrityassurancepracticesandprocessesintheVictorianracingindustryacrossseventhemes:

• criminalactivityintheracingindustry;

• internalintegritystructuresoftheVictoriancodes;

• co-operationonintegrityissues;

• appealsanddisciplinaryprocesses;

• swabbinganddrugtesting;

• stewards;and

• otherintegritymatters.

TheLewisReportfoundthatsafeguardsagainstcriminalactivityassociatedwithracingandwageringneededstrengthening,andalthoughthecontrollingbodiesshouldcontinuetoberesponsibleforintegrityassurance,therewasaclearneedtoprovideindependentoversightofintegrityrelatedissuesintheindustry.

FollowingthereleaseoftheLewisReportinAugust2008,theGovernmentestablishedajointVictorianGovernmentandVictorianRacingIndustryImplementationWorkingParty(IWP),chairedbytheDepartmentofJusticeandinvolvingrepresentativesfromVictoriaPoliceandthethreeracingcodes,toconsidertherecommendationsandreportontheirimplementation.TheIWPmetonanumberofoccasionsbetweenAugustandDecember2008,attimeswithJudgeLewis,andagreedinprincipletoimplementall63recommendations.

Inshort,theLewisReportrecommendedthatwhilstthecontrollingbodiescontinuetogoverntheircodes,Victoriawouldbebestservedbystrengtheningthosearrangementsbyprovidingfortheindependentoversightofintegrity.TheLewisReportrecommendedthecreationofaRacingIntegrityCommissionerwithstandalone,independentstatutorypowersandabroadcharterassociatedwithintegrityassurance.


On28July2009,theMinisterforRacingintroducedtheRacingLegislationAmendment(RacingIntegrityAssurance)Bill2009toParliamentinsupportoftheimplementationofJudgeLewis’keyrecommendations.UpontheenactmentoftheBillon8September2009,therelevantprovisionsoftheRacing Act 1958wereamendedtoprovidefor:

• thecreationofthepositionoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner;

• theestablishmentofnewRacingAppealsandDisciplinaryBoardsforGreyhoundRacingVictoria(GRV)andHarnessRacingVictoria(HRV);

• theabolitionoftheRacingAppealsTribunal;and

• theabolitionoftheprovisionsoftheGambling Regulation Act 2003banningthetransmissionofbettingoddsfromracecoursesduringracemeetings.

Asat30June2010,all63recommendationsinJudgeLewis’2008reportintointegrityassurancehavebeenaddressed,havebeencompletedorsubstantiallyprogressedintheformrecommendedinthefirstinstancebytheLewisReport,orintheformofasuitablealternative,asagreedtobytheIWP.

Ofthe63recommendationscontainedinJudgeLewis’report:

• 51havebeenimplementedinfull,intheformdescribedandagreedtobytheIWP;

• 8havebeenimplementedinfull,bywayofanalternatesolutionagreedtobytheIWPinconsultationwithJudgeLewis;and

• 4arecurrentlybeingprogressedbythecontrollingbodiesandotherindustryrelatedbodiesandassociations,withthesupportoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner.


Key Achievements

Establishment of the Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner

MrSalPernawasappointedRacingIntegrityCommissionerbytheGovernorinCouncilcommencing1March2010undertheRacing Act 1958foraninitialfulltimeperiodoftwoyears.

TheappointmentoftheinauguralCommissionerrequiredtheestablishmentofanOfficetosupporttheexerciseofhisfunctions.Duringtheperiod1March2010to30June2010,officepremisesweresecuredandmodified,staffappointed,furnitureandequipmentprocured,securityarrangementsimplementedandallothernecessaryarrangementsmadetoestablishafunctioningoffice.

Racing Industry Stakeholder Survey

InestablishingtheOffice,oneofthekeyobjectivesoftheCommissionerwastoundertakeareviewoftheracingindustrystakeholders.Tothisend,anindependentsurveyofVictorianracingindustrystakeholderswascommissionedduringJune2010.Theaimofthesurveywastobetterunderstandthestakeholderenvironmentandidentifycritical‘successfactors‘tomeasuretheperformanceoftheOfficeinrelationtoitsestablishmentandongoingoperations.Inparticular,thesurveyaddressedthefollowingissues:

• perceptionsofintegrityintheindustry;

• expectationsoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerandhisOffice;

• potentialbarrierstothesuccessfulestablishmentoftheOffice;

• changesintheindustrythatcouldimpactupontheroleoftheCommissioner;and

• measuringthesuccessoftheestablishmentoftheOffice.

Twentythreein-depthinterviewswereundertakenwithstakeholdersfromallthreeracingcodes,includingintegritymanagersandstewardsfromthecontrollingbodies,government,judicialbodiesandrepresentativesfromracingclubs.

ThefollowingkeyfindingsemergedfromtheRacingIntegrityCommissioner’ssurveyofracingindustrystakeholders:

• Asubstantialnumberofrespondentsdidnotbelievetherewas‘hardevidence’tosuggestthereweresignificantlevelsofcriminalactivitywithinanyofthethreeracingcodes.

• Stakeholdersacknowledgedthatwithoutastrongreputationforintegrity,theracingindustrywouldsuffer.

• Stakeholdersexpressedastrongbeliefthatracingintegrityassurancesystemsandprocesseswerealreadywellmanagedwithintheindustry,buttheappointmentofaRacingIntegrityCommissionerwouldenhanceexistingcontrolsandprovideindependentoversightwhichhadpreviouslybeenmissing.


• StakeholdersperceivedtheroleoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionertoinclude:

• researchingeffectiveprocessesandprocedures;

• consultingwithindustrystakeholders;

• recommendingchangesorconfirmingcurrentapproaches;

• auditingperformanceagainststandards;and

• reportingthefindingsofhisactivities.

• RespondentsfurtheridentifiedtheCommissioner’sroleaspotentiallyenhancingthereputationoftheindustrybyplayingthefollowingroles:

• afacilitator–bringingmembersoftheindustrytogetherandaligningtheactivitiesofsupportingorganisations.

• anindependentinvestigator–providinganopportunityforindividualstosafelyraiseconcernsaboutintegrity,ascertaintheseriousnessofthecomplaintsandtakeactionwherenecessary.

• anadvocacyrole–promotingsuccessoftheindustrybyensuring“…alevelplayingfieldforallinvolved.”

Stakeholder Engagement Programme

Between1Marchand30June2010theRacingIntegrityCommissionerundertookaStakeholderEngagementProgramme,forthepurposesofidentifyinganddevelopingrelationshipswithstakeholderswithintheVictorianracingindustry.Overthecourseoftheprogramme,theCommissionerattended121meetingswith174individualsrepresenting79organisationsorbusinessunits,drawnfromthecontrollingbodies,themedia,bettingandwageringproviders,racingclubs,thejudiciary,industryexperts;lawenforcementandgovernmentbodiesandagencies;andotherindustryparticipants.

Industry Familiarisation Programme

During2009-10,theRacingIntegrityCommissionerundertookanindustryfamiliarisationprogrammeforthepurposesofdevelopingrelationshipsandgaininganenhancedinsightintotheracingindustry,acrossallthreeracingcodes.AspartofthisprogrammetheCommissionerundertookanumberofsitevisitsandobservedtheoperationsofavarietyofintegrityassuranceprocessesandsystemsatracedaymeetingsforeachcode,includingbarrierandboxdrawsandpreandpostracedrugswabbing.


Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) Funding

RASLwasestablishedin1988asanot-for-profit,independententityforthepurposesofprovidingdruglaboratorytestingservicestotheVictorianracingindustry.Sincethattime,thelaboratoryhasachievednationalandinternationalaccreditationandisrecognisedasprovidingthehighestpossiblestandardsofintegrityassuranceservicesinrelationtodrugdetectioninVictoria.

Initsfindings,theLewisReportidentifiedtheimportanceoftheadoptionofaco-operativeapproachbythethreecodestowardstheongoingfundingofRASL’soperationsbythethreeracingcodes.Tothisend,duringAprilandMay2010industryconsultationswiththeMinisterforRacingandtheRacingIntegrityCommissionerresultedinacommitmentfromthecontrollingbodiestofundRASL’soperationsforthe2010-11financialyear.ThiscommitmentprovidesRASLwithacertaintyofoperationsirrespectiveofthenumberoftestsitperformsduringthefinancialyear.

Inaddition,thecontrollingbodieshavealsocommittedtoassistRASLinundertakingareviewofitsgovernanceandfinancialarrangementswithaviewtoestablishingalongtermmodelofoperationswhichwillcontinuetomeetboththecurrentandemergingneedsoftheracingindustryinVictoria.


Report on OperationsTheRacing Act 1958providesfortheRacingIntegrityCommissionerthepowerto:

• conductauditsofintegrityprocessandsystems;

• investigatecomplaintsmadeabouttheintegrityprocessesandsystemsofacontrollingbody;

• conducthisownmotioninquiries;and

• refercomplaintsabouttheintegrityprocessesandsystemsofacontrollingbodytoothergovernmentagenciesforinvestigation.

TheCommissionermayalsodirectaRacingAppealsandDisciplinary(RAD)Boardtohearanddetermineanappealagainstapenaltyimposedbyacontrollingbodyinspecificcircumstances.

From1Marchto30June2010,theOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner:

• conductednoformalauditsoftheinternalintegrityprocessesandsystemsofthecontrollingbodiesorothersubjectmatter;

• referrednocomplaintsormatterstoabouttheintegrityprocessesandsystemsofacontrollingbodytoanotheragencyforinvestigation;and

• conductednoinvestigationsorownmotioninvestigations.

TheRacingIntegrityCommissionerreceivedthreecomplaintsforconsiderationduringthe2009-10reportingperiodinrelationto:

• Allegationsofmisconductandimproperrelationshipsbyracingofficialsfromoneoftheracingcodes.Thismatteriscurrentlyunderinvestigation.

• Allegationsofmisconductbyracingofficialsfromanotheroftheracingcodes.Thismatteriscurrentlyunderinvestigation.

• ThefailureofaRADBoardtoacceptanoticeofappealwithintheprescribedtimelimits.UpontherecommendationoftheCommissionertheRADBoardrevieweditsdecisioninthefirstinstanceandacceptedthenoticeofappeal.



About the Office of the Racing Integrity CommissionerGovernance and Organisational Structure

Organisational Structure and Governance Arrangements

ThestaffattheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerareappointedbytheCommissioner,butareemployedbytheDepartmentofJustice.ForthepurposesoftheirworkfortheCommissioner,theCommissioner’sstaffworkindependentlyoftheDepartmentofJustice.

OfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerorganisationalstructure

Racing IntegrityCommissioner

MrSalPerna

Executive

Assistant

ManagerPolicy and Projects

ManagerInformation and

Intelligence

ManagerOperations


Human Resources Management

Occupational Health and Safety

TheRacingIntegrityCommissioneraimstoprovidehisstaffwithahealthyandsafeworkplace.TheCommissioneriscommittedtoenhancingsafetyperformanceandensuringsafesystemsatwork.

Notimewaslostduring2009-10duetoworkplaceinjuries.

Application of Merit Principles to Selection

TheRacingIntegrityCommissioneriscommittedtoapplyingmeritandequityprincipleswhenappointingstaff,inaccordancewithprovisionsofthePublic Administration Act 2004.TheselectionprocessesemployedbytheCommissionerensuresthatapplicantsareassessedandevaluatedfairlyandequitablyonthebasisofthekeyselectioncriteriaandotheraccountabilitieswithoutdiscrimination.

Therewerenoformalgrievanceslodgedinrelationtoemploymentmattersorrecruitmentorselectionmattersduringthereportingperiod.

Workplace Relations

NoindustrialrelationsissuesconcerningtheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerwereregisteredwiththeDepartmentofJusticeduringthereportingperiod.

NogrievanceswerereceivedbytheCommissionerduring2009-10.



Workforce Overview

Managing and Valuing Diversity

TheRacingIntegrityCommissioneriscommittedtofosteringdiversitywithintheworkplace.Inlightofthesmallnumberofemployees,broad-based,internaldiversityinitiativesareneithernecessarynorviablewithintheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner.

TheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerdoesnotprovideservicesspecificallytargetedatculturallyandlinguisticallydiversecommunities,women,youngpeopleorIndigenouscommunities.

Public Administration Values and Employment Principles

ThestaffoftheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerupholdtheCode of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees(No.1)2007.

NobreachesoftheCodebytheCommissioner’sstaffoccurredin2009-10.

OngoingFixed Term and

Casual Employees

Age Male Female Male FemaleUnder25 0 0 0 025-34 0 2 0 035-44 0 0 0 145-54 1 1 0 055-64 0 0 0 0Over64 0 0 0 0Total 1 3 0 1

OngoingFixed Term and

Casual Employees

Classification Male Female Male FemaleVPS1 0 0 0 0VPS2 0 0 0 0VPS3 0 1 0 0VPS4 0 0 0 0VPS5 0 2 0 1VPS6 0 0 0 0StatutoryOfficeHolder 1 0 0 0Total 1 3 0 1

Staff Profile

Asat30June2010,theOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerwasstaffedbyfourfulltimeemployeesandonefulltimeStatutoryOfficer.

Executive Officers

TheRacingIntegrityCommissionerisastatutoryofficeholderappointedbyGovernorinCouncilandnotclassifiedasanExecutiveOfficerforreportingpurposes.


Management and Accountability

Victorian Industry Participation

InOctober2003,theVictorianParliamentpassedtheVictorian Industry ParticipationPolicy Act 2003whichrequirespublicbodiesandDepartmentstoreportontheimplementationoftheVictorianIndustryParticipationPolicy(VIPP).DepartmentsandpublicbodiesarerequiredtoapplyVIPPinalltendersover$3millioninmetropolitanMelbourneand$1millioninregionalVictoria.

TheCommissionerdidnotcommenceorcompleteanycontractsduring2009-10thatrequiredisclosureundertheVictorian Industry Participation Policy Act 2003.

Consultancies

Details of consultancies over $100,000

TheRacingIntegrityCommissionerdidnotengageconsultantsduring2009-10wherethetotalfeespayableweregreaterthat$100,000(exclusiveofGST).

Details of consultancies under $100,000

During2009-10,theCommissionerengagedaconsultanttoundertakeanindependentsurveyofVictorianracingindustrystakeholders.Thetotalfeespayablewerelessthat$100,000(exclusiveofGST).

Disclosure of Major Contracts

TheRacingIntegrityCommissionerdidnotenterintoanycontractsgreaterthan$10millionduring2009-10.

Freedom of Information

TheFreedom of Information Act 1982allowsthepublicarightofaccesstodocumentsheldbytheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner.Fortheperiodending30June2010,theOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerreceivednoFreedomofInformationapplicationsrequestingaccesstoinformation.

Making a Request

AccesstodocumentsmaybeobtainedthroughwrittenrequesttotheFreedomofInformationManager,asprovidedbysection17oftheFreedom of Information Act 1982.Insummary,therequirementsformakingarequestare:

• itshouldbeinwriting;

• itshouldidentifyasclearlyaspossiblewhichdocumentisbeingrequested;and

• itshouldbeaccompaniedbytheappropriateapplicationfee(thefeemaybewaivedincertaincircumstances).



RequestsforinformationinthepossessionoftheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionershouldbeaddressedto:

Freedom of Information ManagerOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerPOBox24034BourkeStreetMelbourneVIC3001

Requestscanalsobelodgedonlineatwww.foi.vic.gov.au.

Accesschargesmayalsoapplyoncedocumentshavebeenprocessedandadecisiononaccessismade,forexamplephotocopyingandsearchandretrievalcharges.

FurtherinformationregardingFreedomofInformationmaybefoundatwww.foi.vic.gov.au.

Compliance with Building Act 1983

TheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerdoesnotownnorcontrolanygovernmentbuildingsandconsequentlyisexemptfromprovidingnotificationofitscompliancewithbuildingandmaintenanceprovisionsoftheBuilding Act 1983.

National Competition Policy

In1995,allAustraliangovernments(federal,stateandterritory)agreedtoreviewand,whereappropriate,reformallexistinglegislativerestrictionsoncompetition.UnderNationalCompetitionPolicy,theguidinglegislativeprincipleisthatlegislation,includingfuturelegislativeproposals,shouldnotrestrictcompetitionunlessitcanbedemonstratedthat:

• thebenefitsoftherestrictiontothecommunityasawholeoutweighthecosts;and

• theobjectivesofthelegislationcanonlybeachievedbyrestrictingcompetition.

TheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerisnotengagedinanybusinessactivitiesincompetitionwithprivatecompaniesorothergovernmententerprises,nordoesitgeneraterevenueasaresultofitsactivities.

Compliance with Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001

TheWhistleblowers Protection Act 2001encouragesandassistspeopleinmakingdisclosuresofimproperconductbypublicofficersandpublicbodies.TheActprovidesprotectiontopeoplewhomakedisclosuresinaccordancewiththeActandestablishesasystemforthemattersdisclosedtobeinvestigatedandrectifyingactiontobetaken.

TheRacingIntegrityCommissionerdoesnottolerateimproperconductbyemployees,ortheundertakingtakingofreprisalsagainstthosewhocomeforwardtodisclosesuchconduct.TheCommissioneriscommittedtoensuringtransparencyandaccountability


intheOffice’sadministrativeandmanagementpracticesandsupportsthemakingofdisclosuresthatrevealcorruptconduct,conductinvolvingasubstantialmismanagementofpublicresources,orconductinvolvingasubstantialrisktopublichealthandsafetyortheenvironment.

TheCommissionerwilltakeallreasonablestepstoprotectpeoplewhomakesuchdisclosuresfromanydetrimentalactionundertakeninreprisalformakingthedisclosureandwillaffordnaturaljusticetothepersonwhoisthesubjectofthedisclosuretotheextenttowhichitislegallypossible.

Reporting Procedures

DisclosuresofimproperconductordetrimentalactionbytheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerstafforcontractorsmaybemade,inthefirstinstance,toRacingIntegrityCommissioner:

Mr Sal PernaRacingIntegrityCommissionerOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerPOBox24034BourkeStreetMelbourneVIC3001

Alternatively,disclosuresofimproperconductordetrimentalactionbytheRacingIntegrityCommissionerorhisemployeesmayalsobemadedirectlytotheOmbudsman.

The Ombudsman Victoria Level9459CollinsStreet(NorthTower)MelbourneVIC3000

Telephone:0396136222Tollfree:1800806314Internet:www.ombudsman.vic.gov.auEmail:[email protected]

Further Information

WrittenguidelinesoutliningthesystemforreportingdisclosuresofimproperconductordetrimentalactionbytheRacingIntegrityCommissionerorhisemployeesareavailableontheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner’swebsiteatwww.racingintegrity.vic.gov.au.

Disclosures under the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001

TheRacingIntegrityCommissionerreceivednodisclosuresmadeundertheWhistleblowers Protection Act 2001duringthereportingperiod.TheOmbudsmanmadenorecommendationsinrelationtotheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerduring2009-10.



Environmental Impacts

Theprovisionofenergy,waterandwastedisposalservicetotheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerismanagedbytheDepartmentofJustice.EnergyandwaterconsumedbytheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerarenotmeteredseparately.TheprincipleenvironmentalimpactsoftheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerareincludedwithintheannualreportingoftheDepartmentofJustice.

Additional Information available on Request

IncompliancewiththeStandingDirectionsoftheMinisterforFinance,detailsinrespectoftheitemslistedbelowhavebeenretainedbyOfficeofRacingIntegrityCommissionerandareavailabletotherelevantMinisters,MembersofParliamentandthepubliconrequest(subjecttotheFreedomofinformationrequirements,ifapplicable).

ThefollowinginformationhasbeenretainedbytheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerandisavailableonrequest:

(a) astatementthatdeclarationsofpecuniaryinterestshavebeendulycompletedbyallrelevantofficersoftheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner;

(b) detailsofsharesheldbyseniorofficersasnomineeorheldbeneficiallyinastatutoryauthorityorsubsidiary;

(c) detailsofpublicationsproducedbytheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioneraboutitsactivitiesandwheretheycanbeobtained;

(d) detailsofchangesinprices,fees,charges,ratesandlevieschargedbytheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerforitsservices,includingservicesthatareadministered;

(e) detailsofanymajorexternalreviewscarriedoutinrespectoftheoperationoftheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner;

(f) detailsofanyotherresearchanddevelopmentactivitiesundertakenbytheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerthatarenototherwisecoveredinthereportofoperations;

(g) detailsofoverseasvisitsundertakenincludingasummaryoftheobjectivesandoutcomesofeachvisit;

(h) detailsofmajorpromotional,publicrelationsandmarketingactivitiesundertakenbytheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionertodevelopcommunityawarenessoftheservicesitprovides;

(i) detailsofassessmentsandmeasuresundertakentoimprovetheoccupationalhealthandsafetyofemployees,nototherwisedetailedinthisreport;


(j) ageneralstatementonindustrialrelationswithintheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioneranddetailsoftimelostthroughindustrialaccidentsanddisputes,whicharenototherwisedetailedinthisreport;and

(k) alistofmajorcommitteessponsoredbytheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner,thepurposesofeachcommitteeandtheextenttowhichthepurposeshavebeenachieved.

Theinformationisavailableonrequestfrom:

Office of the Racing Integrity CommissionerTelephone:+61386847776Email:[email protected]

Risk Management

TheCommissionermaintainsariskmanagementpolicythatmeetsVictorianGovernmentrequirementsandundertakesariskmanagementapproachtooperations.

IntheinterestsoftransparencyandgoodgovernancetheCommissionerintendstopublishariskattestationinrelationtotheAustralianandNewZealandRiskManagementStandardAS/NZ4360upontheestablishmentoftheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerRiskManagementPlanandRiskRegister,commencingwiththe2010-11reportingyear.


AppendixDisclosure IndexTheAnnualReportoftheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerispreparedinaccordancewithallrelevantVictorianlegislation.Thisindexhasbeenpreparedtofacilitateidentificationofcompliancewithstatutorydisclosurerequirements.

TheCommissionerincludesrelevantinformationinthisreportsoastoprovidetheParliamentandthepeopleofVictoriawithatransparentandinformativeaccountoftheCommissioner’soperationsfortheyear.

Legislation Requirement Page

Ministerial Directions

Reporting of Operations – FRD Guidance

Charter and purpose

FRD22B MannerofestablishmentandtherelevantMinisters 7

FRD22B Objectives,functions,powersandduties 8-12

FRD22B Natureandrangeofservicesprovided 15-19

Management and structure

FRD22B Organisationalstructure 20

Financial and other information

FRD10 Disclosureindex 29

FRD12A Disclosureofmajorcontracts 23

FRD15B Executiveofficerdisclosures 22

FRD22B Employmentandconductprinciples 21-22

FRD22B Occupationalhealthandsafetypolicy 21

FRD22B ApplicationandoperationofFreedom of Information Act 1982 23-24

FRD22B ApplicationandoperationofWhistleblowers Protection Act 1981 25-26

FRD22B CompliancewithbuildingandmaintenanceprovisionsofBuilding Act 1983 24

FRD22B StatementofNationalCompetitionPolicy 24

FRD22B Detailsofconsultanciesover$100,000 23

FRD22B Detailsofconsultanciesunder$100,000 23

FRD22B Statementofavailabilityofotherinformation 26-27

FRD24B Reportingofoffice-basedenvironmentalimpacts 26

FRD29 Workforcedatadisclosures 22

SD4.5.5 Riskmanagementcomplianceattestation 27


Legislation

Building Act 1983 24

Freedom of Information Act 1982 23-24

Multicultural Victoria Act 2004 22

Racing Act 1958 19

Victorian Industry Participation Policy Act 2003 23

Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 24-25

FinancesTheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissionerisanindependent,statutoryofficefundedundertheDepartmentofJusticeappropriation.TheExpenditureReviewCommittee(ERC)hasdeterminedaspecificamountofmoneytofundtheCommissionerandhisOffice,whichisunderthecontroloftheCommissioner.TheDepartmentofJusticeBudgetPapersdonotapplyspecificbudgetaryobjectsoroutputstotheOfficeoftheRacingIntegrityCommissioner.

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Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner

PostalAddressPOBox24034BourkeStreet

MelbourneVIC3001

StreetAddressLevel26

121ExhibitionStreetMelbourneVIC3001

Telephone:+61386847776Fax:+61386847778

Email:[email protected]:www.racingintegrity.vic.gov.au

RacingIntegrityHotline:+611300227225

annual report 2009-10 - racingintegrity.vic.gov.au · annual report of the office of the racing...

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