Mr Ashton will be required to provide an independent, system-level assessment of the:
- current operations, culture, governance, and practices of the South Australian greyhound racing industry,
- nature and efficacy of the current model of regulation, and
- relationship, if any, between that model and the operation, culture, governance, and practices of the industry.
Mr Ashton served as the 22nd Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police from 2015 to 2020.
He has a diverse policing record in Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and the National Crime Authority, including the investigation of drug trafficking, organised crime and money laundering.
Mr Ashton was the Forward Commander for the Australian investigation into the 2002 Bali Bombings for the joint Australian and Indonesian taskforce.
In 2004, he accepted a position with the newly formed Victorian Office of Police Integrity (OPI), with responsibility for investigating and preventing police corruption.
His drive to improve integrity in sport was evident in 2013 when he set up Victoria Police's Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit – the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
Mr Ashton was born and raised in South Australia, and is widely respected in racing circles.
He is a current member of the Asian Racing Federation Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime and was appointed as a member of the Harness Racing Victoria Show Cause Sub-Committee in 2020.
The inquiry was announced by the Premier Peter Malinauskas last month, after footage emerged which appeared to show the mistreatment of greyhounds on a South Australian property.
While separate investigations are underway into that footage, the broader inquiry will:
- engage with stakeholders across the greyhound racing and animal welfare sectors to examine the industry's operations, culture and practices, including in relation to integrity and/or animal welfare issues.
- review the current regulatory framework for greyhound racing in South Australia in the context of industry best practice and governance. This may include:
oexamining if the current system inhibits the ability to prevent, investigate or respond to serious allegations of animal mistreatment.
oidentifying any systemic issues or challenges across the greyhound racing industry which the current model of regulation may be unable to or limited in identifying, responding to and/or resolving satisfactorily; and
or examining alternative models of industry regulation and integrity frameworks.
- review whether, and if so how, the culture of the greyhound racing industry promotes integrity and regulatory compliance, including with regard to animal welfare.
Mr Ashton may request any person he sees fit to provide submissions, documents and/or information, either in writing or orally.
At his discretion, the Inquirer will have the discretion to take information confidentially, so as to protect the safety and anonymity of any person who may reasonably fear recrimination.
Mr Ashton will be required to provide a final report to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing by no later than 30 November.
As put by Peter Malinauskas
I, like many South Australians, was sickened by the drone footage we saw last month.
We've long been assured that instances like this do not happen in the Greyhound Racing Industry.
But in light of the available evidence, we're not prepared to take those assurances at face value.
This is not about banning greyhound racing. This is about making sure the industry is clean, well regulated and that animal welfare is of paramount importance.
Throughout a long career in law enforcement, Graham Ashton has demonstrated abilities as an outstanding and forensic investigator.
He's been a pioneer in ensuring integrity in sport.
Mr Ashton's background, and knowledge of the racing industry should help give any person with information to provide the confidence to know it will be treated seriously, and if necessary, in confidence.
As put by Katrine Hildyard
The drone footage which emerged a few weeks ago was utterly abhorrent; it made me and so many other South Australians feel ill.
It is my expectation that the highest standards of animal welfare, integrity, governance and regulation are upheld in greyhound racing.
This inquiry, being conducted by a person with excellent credentials and a deep understanding of the racing industry and sports integrity more broadly, is about ensuring that impeccable standards are in place and adhered to.
I look forward to receiving Mr Ashton's Inquiry report.
As put by Graham Ashton
I want to hear from all stakeholders across the greyhound racing and animal welfare sectors.
Clearly, there is a great deal of concern in the community regarding recent reporting of alleged mistreatment of greyhounds.
I hope this inquiry will ensure the greyhound racing industry is best placed to operate with integrity, in accord with industry best practice, and with animal welfare at the forefront.
