A recruitment process to appoint a permanent Chief Executive Officer of Racing Queensland will begin soon and it is long overdue but why has it taken so long?
Opinions in the industry are divided on the job that has been done – under trying circumstances – by Lachlan Murray whose tenure as Acting CEO has again been extended. Racing Queensland has confirmed that Murray will continue to serve in the role up to December 31, 2026. It seems a ridiculously drawn out period to appoint a permanent CEO.
There are those like Ben Dorries of the Murdoch Media who say Murray is a ‘good bloke’ and others who question when ‘good blokes make good CEO’s’. One identity who LGHR has high respect for but better remain nameless told us: ‘Who cares what Ben thinks. He seems to only praise those in official positions who are of some use to him in the job he tries to do.’
Then you have the respected opinions of media identities like SKY Racing’s man in provincial Queensland, Michael Charge, who told us recently: ‘Lachlan Murray deserves some credit for having the balls to meet and greet throughout Country Queensland race meetings on a regular basis and on his own over the last 12 months, something I haven’t seen done in my last 20 or so years very heavily involved in the racing industry regionally! Credit where credit is due and at least he’s got the guts/balls to front up and meet people and listen.’
LGHR has never met Murray and we don’t want to see him lost to the industry. But we think his skills could be better used consulting with the TAB and corporate bookies. It also concerns us if the newly-elected RQ Chairman Matt McGrath has any influence on the CEO appointment. The Sydneysider has made it clear that he wants Murray appointed full-time. Here’s hoping the process is done independently and not with any input from the ‘invisible man’.
