A RACING Queensland review of the ‘junket holiday’ controversially gifted to former Toowoomba Turf Club chairman, Neville Stewart, at the instigation of key members of the committee has been declared ‘illegal’ under the Racing Act 2002.
The TTC has been told to recover the amount of $11,500 by September 30 or those directors responsible for approving the payment will be required to compensate the club.
The review by Director of Integrity Operations, Jamie Orchard, also declared the club’s internal systems for the approval of payment of expenses below the standard expected and has requested a report to Racing Queensland on how that has been improved by September 30.
Below is a copy of the Racing Queensland Media Release distributed today, which does not indicate if any indepdent action will be taken against those directors who the review indicated were held responsible for approving the 'gift holiday'. It reads:
‘Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) today announced the outcome of its review of the gratuity payment made by the Toowoomba Turf Club for the benefit of its former chairman.
Director of integrity operations Mr Jamie Orchard said that RQL established that the Club had made a payment of approximately $11,500 to a travel agent to pay for an overseas family trip for the former chairman in recognition of his service to the Club.
“An executive committee of the Club approved the payment which was later ratified by resolution of the committee,” Mr Orchard said.
However, the Racing Act 2002 prevents clubs from paying its money to members and, without RQL’s consent, from making special payments. As RQL found that the payment was made contrary to those prohibitions, the Club has been required to seek recovery of the full amount of the payment or otherwise have those responsible for approving the payment compensate the Club. These steps are required to be taken by September 30, 2010.
RQL also found that the Club’s internal systems for the approval and payment of expenses was below the standard expected and has requested the Club to report to RQL by September 30, 2010 how those systems have been improved.'
RACING QUEENSLAND MEDIA RELEASE
For further information contact RQL director of integrity operations Mr Jamie Orchard on 07 3689 9742.
