Queensland Racing Cancels Trainer's Licence
Wednesday, 15 October 2008: The Queensland Racing licensing committee called Townsville-based Butts to a hearing on October 7 and today served a notice that his trainer's licence had been cancelled.
A Show Cause Notice was issued to Butts on August 28 following false claims and statements he made in an article in a North Queensland newspapaer.
The October 7 hearing considered a number of false statements and claims made by Butts and his admitted failure to verify any of the claims with QRL before they were published.
The licensing committee noted that Butts would have known the claims were potentially damaging and had he verified them with QRL, he would have found them to be false.
Licensing committee chairman Peter Smith said that unnder the QRL licensing scheme policy, all licensees must continue to meet suitability requirements.
“A licensee may be asked to show cause why action should not be taken on the grounds that they are not a fit and proper person to be licensed.
“The policy states that the propriety of the person is assessed on the basis of general behaviour and conduct. It is not limited to behaviour in the thoroughbred racing industry.
“It considers whether any improper conduct is likely to impact on both the person's reputation and more broadly on the reputation of other licensees and the thoroughbred racing industry.
"Issues of integrity of licensed participants are an important factor in protecting the interests of stakeholders, including those who make a significant financial investment in the industry by way of sponsorship and ownership."
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