Victoria’s Racing Integrity Commissioner, Sal Perna, will continue in the role for another two years, having led important reforms to improve integrity and animal welfare standards in the Victorian racing industry.
Minister for Racing Martin Pakula today announced the reappointment of Mr Perna, the state’s first Racing Integrity Commissioner, for another term.
Mr Perna was first appointed to the role in 2010. In 2015 Mr Perna led two major integrity investigations into live baiting in Victoria’s greyhound racing industry and a special inquiry into the 2014 Ballarat Pacing Cup.
These investigations resulted in Greyhound Racing Victoria developing new regulations for those breeding, breaking in and training greyhounds, and processes that provide all stewards with skills and knowledge in compliance.
Over the past two years Mr Perna has also led investigations into a range of racing integrity issues including race fixing, use of illegal substances by officials, raceday treatments and use of prohibited substances, and abusive online conduct by racing industry participants.
Since his appointment in 2010, Mr Perna and his staff have met with more than 15,000 stakeholders from a range of racing organisations and made 471 operational visits to race meetings.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Racing Martin Pakula
“I am pleased to announce the reappointment of Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna for a further two years.”
“Mr Perna has made an outstanding contribution to the integrity of our three racing codes and I’m confident that he will ensure that the high standards expected by the Victorian community continue to be upheld in the future.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020