About the Inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW
The Commissioner
GWIC Acting Commissioner Lea Drake is conducting the Inquiry under Part 8 of the Greyhound Racing Act 2017.
In addition to 17 years of private legal practice, Ms Drake has over 28 years of tribunal experience. She spent 23 years as a Presidential member of the Fair Work Commission where was appointed with rank, status and precedence of a Justice of the Federal Court.
Subsequently, Ms Drake concluded a five-year appointment as the inaugural Commissioner of the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). During her appointment with LECC, Ms Drake led investigations into possible misconduct and maladministration, and published 28 single and 6 joint reports as the Commissioner for Integrity.
Most recently Ms Drake has been appointed as a Member in the Workers Compensation Division of the Personal Injury Commission, where she will serve until 2028.
Terms of Reference
On 11 July 2024, the Minister for Gaming and Racing, the Hon David Harris MP, wrote to the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) to require it to conduct an inquiry (the Inquiry) under Part 8 of the Greyhound Racing Act 2017 (the Act) into matters relating to various complaints concerning Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW). In accordance with section 85 of the Act, the GWIC Acting Commissioner will conduct the Inquiry.
The purpose of the Inquiry is to ensure a viable and sustainable greyhound racing industry in NSW with the highest standards of integrity and animal welfare.
The scope of the Inquiry is to inquire into, report on and make findings and recommendations in relation to the following:
- Greyhound welfare and the care of greyhounds by GRNSW, including management and compliance with welfare standards and any welfare concerns relating to GRNSW’s management of greyhound adoption and rehoming programs, including facilities, and its other functions under the Act;
- GRNSW processes and management, including financial management, procurement and recruitment practices, and concerns regarding any alleged or identified conflicts of interest and the management of conflicts of interest;
- Accuracy and reporting by GRNSW in relation to greyhounds and whether that reporting represents the true state of the greyhound racing industry, including the welfare of greyhounds and the state of related programs under GRNSW’s control, awareness and oversight;
- Performance and effectiveness of GRNSW’s functions under the Act and the GRNSW Operating Licence in relation to racecourse safety, management and compliance with minimum track standards;
- GRNSW management response to compliance or concerns regarding organisational and workplace culture and conduct or any other related matters arising in the Inquiry;
- Such other matters arising in the course of the inquiry into the matters above that the Acting Commissioner considers relevant.
As the Inquiry includes consideration of matters relating to animal welfare, concurrence from the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon Tara Moriarty MLC, has been obtained.
The Acting Commissioner must report to the Minister and GWIC, in accordance with section 89 of the Act, by 31 July 2025.
*Minister Harris has added the words “financial management” to the second limb of the terms of reference in October 2024.