27 June 2008
Sydney, 27 June 2008: The recent conclusion of the Commission of Inquiry into the Outbreak of Equine Influenza (EI) has brought to an end a more than six month team effort at national law firm Clayton Utz, which represented the Australian thoroughbred and harness racing and breeding industry at the Inquiry.
Sydney partner Tony Rein led the Clayton Utz team advising the industry, which comprised the Australian Racing Board, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia Ltd, Aushorse Limited and Australian Harness Racing Council Inc.
The Inquiry, which the former Federal Government announced on 2 September 2007, was led by recently retired High Court Judge and former Chairman of the Queensland TAB, the Hon. Ian Callinan AC.
In his final report delivered on 12 June, Mr Callinan found that the outbreak could have been avoided if fundamental biosecurity measures had been implemented by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).
Federal Agriculture Minister the Hon. Tony Burke MP said the Federal Government would accept all 38 recommendations in the report and would not seek to recover $108 million of the cost of eradicating EI from the racing industry.
Mr Rein said Clayton Utz was pleased to have been involved in an Inquiry of such significance to Australia's biosecurity.
"The Inquiry was a vital step in identifying the probable source of the virus and towards ensuring that an outbreak does not occur again," said Mr Rein.
"Going forward, the Government will work with industry groups to overhaul and renew confidence in Australia's quarantine and biosecurity systems."
