Single integrity body for Victorian racing

The policing of Victorian thoroughbred, greyhound and harness racing will be handed to a single independent body.

Establishing an integrity unit with total oversight of the racing industry will end the current system where the three codes' governing bodies oversee both their commercial activities and integrity functions.

The Victorian Racing Integrity Unit will take over all aspects of raceday regulation and cover everything from stewards, betting analysis, investigations and drug testing to veterinary services and animal welfare.

The codes' governing bodies would retain their rule and policy-making powers, including licensing and animal welfare.

The VRIU would enforce the rules and associated welfare standards, under the model proposed by international racing administrator Paul Bittar.

The state government has accepted in principle Mr Bittar's recommendations, including a restructure of the appeals and disciplinary system to remove appeals to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and establish a single cross-code RAD board.

Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula said the implementation process was expected to take two years.

"This is about giving Victorian racing an integrity model that provides rigorous and impartial oversight of the three codes," Mr Pakula said in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Bittar said high-profile integrity issues including cobalt cases in thoroughbred and harness racing and the practice of `live baiting' in greyhound racing had resulted in a loss of public confidence in the integrity services overseeing the sports.

"It is a matter of public concern that the self-regulation of Victorian racing has exposed weaknesses in its ability to safeguard animal welfare and to avoid conflicts in the integrity processes," he said in his report.

Mr Bittar said his recommendations addressed the perceived conflict of interest that currently exists in terms of both commercial and regulatory oversight, and would ensure greater confidence in the integrity and welfare systems of Victorian racing.

Mr Bittar said Greyhound Racing Victoria today was unrecognisable from a year ago after taking positive integrity steps having been "seemingly blind" to live animals being used to train greyhounds.

GRV chairman Bernie Carolan said the board looked forward to working with all racing codes to implement any further changes to strengthen the sport.

Racing Victoria chairman David Moodie said the thoroughbred racing body supported the principle of collaboration between the three racing codes.

Harness Racing Victoria looked forward to working on the detail associated with the report's recommendations and integrity would remain a high priority during the consultation period, chairman Dale Monteith said.