AU: Report tarnishes reputation

[filou007de]

From www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au

Report tarnishes reputation

BY CATHERINE MCGAURAN

28 Jun, 2012 12:00 AM

The greyhound racing industry's reputation has been "unfortunately
tarnished", according to Hector Caruana.

Caruana, manager of the Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club, said findings of a
Victorian Ombudsman's report into the administration of Greyhound Racing
Victoria made certain issues seem "sinister" when they were nothing more
than "silly acts".

The report found GRV failed to comply with regulations governing the tender
process for major building works by having an in-house architect, and only
advertising for contractors in local areas.

"Over the last decade, the industry has spent about $50 million on new
infrastructure," Caruana said.

"During that time they've had one architect and just gone to tender for the
contractors' jobs.

"They also had to advertise across the state, but a lot of the time they
were advertising in local areas, thinking they were doing the right thing by
encouraging local businesses."

Caruana said clubs were unlikely to be affected by the recommendations of
the report, as it was aimed at GRV and its staff.

"The biggest impact for us is that with our planned renovations at
Traralgon, they might be delayed slightly due to these new processes for the
tender process," he said.

"But nothing significant."

Caruana spoke highly of GRV's outgoing chief executive John Stephens, saying
he was a "good operator" and it was a shame his exit from the role coincided
with the release of the report's findings.

The report also found irregularities with certain staff members breaching
work place agreements by betting during work hours and in some instances,
betting on greyhound races.

The Ombudsman also noted GRV had taken steps to rectify problems since Peter
Caillard was appointed as chairman last year.