Racing authorities are statutory bodies, that is established under an act of parliament in each state or territory.
Officials within these bodies may (whether they know it or not) be captured by Public Sector regulations relating to probity, transparency and due process. Individuals within these bodies may be deemed public sector officials for purposes of legislation whether they know it or not. Whistle blower protection procedures should conform to public sector expectations ... which in NSW are published and monitored by the Ombudsman.
Yes the fine is trivial BUT that's not the point. There is a clear expectation within that whistle blowers will be protected rather than penalised by a statutory regulating bodies. Public sector probity standards are significantly higher than private sector norms.
The media is as usual focusing on the hype and the trivia BUT just wait a moment for the senior councils to have their time in the sun. ICAC investigations will follow with capacity to refer to the DPP on various related matters if warranted. Neither ICAC nor the DPP will be overly concerned about what some people in the middle said did not say or (of forgot what they said) or whether a particular horse should have run on the day. Any interest they may have in this case would be more fundamental.
