NSW Premier Chris Minns has condemned “disgraceful” attacks made by independent MP Mark Latham on Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys.
Delivering a private member’s statement in the upper house on Wednesday, August 7, Latham accused V’landys of impropriety, “dictatorial behaviour” and a “constant pattern of regulatory abuse.” Latham also called on the powerbroker to resign.
“Megalomania is a dreadful thing, and it’s really ruining the NSW racing industry. For the sake of a sport I dearly love, I believe V’landys should resign and hand over to someone with the best interests of racing in mind, rather than the relentless pursuit of a toxic power,” he said.
Latham’s accusations come in the face of an ongoing parliamentary inquiry into the proposed development of Rosehill Racecourse. V’landys’ is scheduled to appear at the Rosehill inquiry hearing today to give evidence on the sale of the racecourse.
In a statement to The Sydney Morning Herald, V’landys called on Latham to repeat the allegations outside of parliament, insisting he had always remained at arm’s length during steward inquiries and there was zero evidence for his baseless attacks.
“There is no doubt Mr Latham is running an agenda for some very wealthy breeders who don’t wish to be held to account for animal welfare,” V’landys said.
“…everything he is saying is completely and utterly rubbish.”
The NSW Premier also weighed in on Friday morning and said Latham’s accusations were “disgraceful.”
“Mark Latham is currently being sued for defamation for things he said outside of Parliament, so he’s taken his attacks inside Parliament, where he can’t be sued,” Mr Minns said. “It is the definition of the ‘Coward’s Castle’.”
