Report snapshot: Regulation of greyhound racing

Objective

This audit assessed the effectiveness of the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission’s (GWIC) regulatory actions to promote and protect greyhound welfare.

Key findings

GWIC does not clearly communicate its regulatory approach or welfare outcomes

GWIC has not clearly explained changes to its strategic priorities and does not provide current guidance on how it targets its regulatory activities. GWIC has not established a performance framework that links its regulatory work to intended outcomes. This limits its ability to demonstrate whether its regulatory activities are improving greyhound welfare.

GWIC has improved greyhound monitoring and enforcement activities

GWIC has prioritised greyhound welfare in its strategic planning. It has enhanced its systems, improving the tracking and visibility of the greyhound population. This has supported its regulatory activities, including enforcement action in serious welfare cases.

GWIC responds to individual compliance risks but conducts limited industry–wide activities

GWIC uses a structured risk-based approach to prioritise and respond to individual compliance matters. However, it does not regularly conduct industry-wide compliance activities such as inspection programs. This limits GWIC’s ability to detect emerging risks, encourage voluntary compliance and target regulatory effort across the industry.

Inefficient case management has led to reduced penalties for welfare breaches

GWIC has imposed serious penalties for welfare breaches, including long suspensions, disqualifications and lifetime bans. However, in some cases, inefficient case management caused significant delays, resulting in reduced penalties.

Weaknesses in GWIC’s enforcement processes reduce regulatory effectiveness

There are weaknesses in GWIC’s documented policies and procedures, as well as in staff training and development. This increases the risks of inconsistent inspection and investigation practices and of procedural errors that may affect subsequent enforcement action. Weaknesses in IT controls increase the risk of incomplete or unreliable regulatory information.

Recommendations

The audit made 5 recommendations to GWIC to:

• publish its regulatory intent and evaluate greyhound welfare outcomes through performance measures
• strengthen its use of data and outcome reporting
• improve compliance and enforcement processes
• address weaknesses in IT controls
• improve staff development and safety arrangements.

Further information

Please contact Renee O'Kane, Chief of Staff, on 9275 7347 or by email.