By Jeremy Sollars
BREAKING: The head of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Integrity Regulation Unit Norm Torpey has been reassigned from his role after an independent investigation into a complaint of misconduct.
The development comes as a 46-year-old Warwick man is due to face the Brisbane Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday over an unrelated charge of harness race fixing, which the QRIC assisted police in laying in April.
A QRIC spokesman said as an interim measure, experienced former Queensland Police detective Joshua Elliot will manage the QRIC integrity unit.
QRIC Commissioner Ross Barnett made the decision to remove Mr Torpey as head of the integrity unit after an independent investigation found he had not properly investigated a matter reported by a participant.
“A complaint was received from a member of the public about a matter that occurred before the commission commenced in July last year,” Mr Barnett said.
“Effective today, Mr Torpey has been permanently reassigned from his role as head of the Integrity Regulation Unit to a position as Senior Stipendiary Steward in harness racing.
“Mr Torpey was temporarily reassigned in March this year, while the investigation took place.
“The integrity of the QRIC is of the utmost importance and complaints or issues that arise involving our staff are taken very seriously and fully investigated.
Also due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates’ Court on harness race fixing charges is a 27-year-old Limestone Ridges Man, who is scheduled to appear on Thursday.
They are first charges to be laid under Queensland’s new racing integrity legislation.
