A senior club official "declared Racing Victoria a ghost ship," according to Matt Stewart of the HERALD SUN.
Whether that ship "sinks or drifts off on some fractured course before again finding its way is in the hands of the racing minister." Martin Pakula "can steer one of two courses for racing’s governing body, which has lost a string of key figures" -- even its chair -- in recent weeks.
Pakula "has long hinted strongly that a new, independent body should replace the Racing Victoria board," which has always comprised members "regarded as conflicted."
Perceived conflicts of interest "have been inevitable, even accepted, around the boardroom table at Racing Victoria." Talk of an independent commission to run Victorian racing -- even Australian racing -- "has bubbled along for some time and the ghost ship status of RV is regarded by many as the perfect catalyst for change." But dismantling Racing Victoria "is not that easy." Racing Victoria’s "various assets and obligations to stake holders is believed to be a major hurdle to dramatic restructure." The minister "is believed to be pondering a more conservative option of retaining most elements of the current structure, yet eliminating potential conflict among board members and simply doing a better job in finding the 'right' candidates" (HERALD SUN, 10/16).
