RACING Queensland, the new merged entity to run the three codes, will begin operation from July 1 with the thoroughbred industry deprived of the opportunity to vote on whether they want current QRL directors Bob Bentley, Tony Hanmer and Bill Ludwig to continue.

The trio, who has have never been required to stand for re-election to the QR Board, will be automatically granted another five-year term under legislation being pushed through Parliament by Racing Minister Peter Lawlor.

The three code amalgamation plans are outlined by Bob Bentley is his ‘Chairman’s Desk’ report in the April edition of the Queensland Racing Magazine.

As there has been little or no disclosure from Queensland Racing to racing industry in general, we run his report in its entirety:

“THEe Queensland Government recently made the decision to merge the three codes of racing in Queensland into one single entity.

While many of the finer details of the amalgamation are yet to be finalized the following communiqué was recently sent to all staff from the three racing codes detailing information on the future of the new organization.

‘You will be aware of the Queensland Government’s decision to move forward with the amalgamation of the three codes of racing in Queensland.

On January 28, 2010, advice was received from the Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading, the Honorable Peter Lawlor MP, that the Government intended to proceed with the amalgamation of the control bodies by introducing legislation into Parliament in the near future to amend the Racing Act 2002 and establish one control body to manage the thoroughbred, harness and greyhounds codes of racing.

To facilitate the amalgamation, initial discussions were held between the three control body chairpersons, and a meeting involving the three chairpersons and senior executives of the control bodies was held on February 18, 2010. One of the outcomes from that discussion was the establishment of a three code implementation committee (3CIC) to facilitate the amalgamation of the three racing codes in Queensland.

This committee consists of Mr Tony Hanmer as the chair, Mr Malcolm Tuttle, Mr Mike Godber and Mr Darren Beavis. In essence, the responsibility of this committee is to make recommendations to the Board of Racing Queensland (the new entity) and to facilitate the amalgamation of the administration of the three racing codes. This committee will have an opportunity to forward recommendations, along with a report, to an informal meeting of the Board of Racing Queensland, which is scheduled for April 1, 2010.

The Board of Racing Queensland will consist of the following directors: Bob Bentley, Tony Hanmer, Bill Ludwig, Wayne Milner, Bradley Ryan, Bob Lette and Kerry Watson.

It is anticipated that this board will be formalized as a result of the enactment of the amended legislation and that the board, along with the new control body, namely Racing Queensland, will become effective on and from July 1, 2010.

Employment

AN undertaking has been given that all positions within the three racing codes with a salary (TRV) of up to $100,000 per annum are guaranteed for two years. As part of the process of amalgamation there may be changes to various role profiles and position descriptions, however, it is our intention, to the extent we can, to ensure people are transferred into positions that reasonably reflect the nature of the work that is currently being undertaken.

As part of the process, it has also been agreed that an early severance offer will be made to all employees and the policy and process by which this will operate is currently being developed. When available, expressions of interest for early severance will be offered. To be clear, employees expressing an interest and do not proceed with early severance, this will in no way impact their employment going forward.

At present, all HR policies are being integrated into a single suite of policies, along with standard terms of employment for Racing Queensland staff.

LOGISTICS

MENTIONED above, is that the new organization will become operational from July 1,2010. It is the intent from that date, that all staff will be col-located at the Deagon facility currently occupied by Queensland Racing Limited staff. To accommodate the needs of a large organization in the short-term, the demountable buildings that exist at Deagonwill undergo a refurbishment and these demountables will have the capacity of housing our integrity staff, with the flexibility of facilitating at additional 10 to12 workstations that will be required, as the inside of the existing Deagon building is refurbished.

The existing Deagon building will be extended through the inclusion of a new sectional and work is underway to finalize preliminary plans. It is anticipated that the new extension will be ready for use in February 2011.This means that there will be some disruption to the new company given the building works that will be occurring at Deagon and the refurbishment works to the inside of the existing building. The ultimate outcome in this regard will no doubt be well worthwhile and it will facilitate the needs of all Racing Queensland staff. In due course, the demountable buildings will be removed from the Deagon site.

OPERATION OF RACING QUEENSLAND

IN terms of the operation of Racing Queensland, you will appreciate that up until midnight of June 30, 2010, the three individual control bodies will continue to operate, but from July 1, 2010, Racing Queensland will be up and running.

The 3CIC has set itself a significant task to have the majority of its work undertaken by not later than May 21, 2010. A more detailed project plan is in the process of being developed and this plan will accommodate all of the actions that are required to be undertaken to ensure a smooth as possible transition from three codes on day, to a single code the next.

In the lead up to July 1 there will be a need for existing systems to be maintained, whilst at the same time we will be moving towards the implementation of a single system, to the extent we can, on and from July 1, 2010. This in itself presents a challenge, and I am very comfortable that a smooth transition can be delivered.