Queensland plans to bring the functions of its independent racing integrity watchdog into Racing Queensland, placing the sport’s governing body and integrity oversight under a single structure.
“The racing industry is vital for Queensland, contributing more than AU$2.5 billion per year into our economy and responsible for around 14,000 jobs across the state,” Racing Minister Tim Mander said.
The state government said Wednesday that a new chief integrity officer within Racing Queensland would retain independent oversight of racing integrity and animal welfare. The officer would have the same standing as the organization’s chief executive and report directly to the racing minister, the Racing Queensland board and a new board subcommittee.
Mander said combining the two organizations’ functions would reduce operational duplication while maintaining clear lines of accountability.
The change goes further than the government’s December 2025 plan, which proposed transferring only the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission’s non-core functions to Racing Queensland while retaining a separate commissioner of stewards who would report to the minister.
The commission was established as an independent statutory body in 2016 after an inquiry into greyhound racing found that industry self-regulation had failed. It oversees integrity and animal welfare across the state’s thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing.
The restructuring forms part of The Next Lap, Queensland’s broader racing reform plan.
