McGauran takes reins in sport of kings

FORMER federal agriculture minister Peter McGauran, who came to the rescue of the racing industry with a $217 million relief package, is set to become the chief executive of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia.

Mr McGauran follows at least four other Howard ministers in accepting employment in areas where they worked closely in government.

The Australian understands Mr McGauran, who on Friday announced his resignation after 25 years as the Nationals member for Gippsland, will announce his new job this week and take up the post next month.
News of Mr McGauran's post-retirement plans came as senior Liberals dismissed suggestions that Peter Costello might remain in parliament as a leadership "insurance policy", with one former close supporter of his prime ministerial ambitions labelling the claims as "bunkum".
Former health minister Michael Wooldridge was criticised when he joined the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners as a consultant after leaving politics, as was former defence minister Peter Reith for his government relations consultancy with defence and technology giant Tenix.
Former children's affairs minister Larry Anthony joined the board of childcare giant ABC Learning after losing his seat in 2004, while former communications minister Richard Alston advised Austereo on digital radio.
At the time of last year's outbreak of equine influenza, which is reported to have cost the industry $1 billion, Mr McGauran was described by racing officials as the industry's saviour for delivering the $217 million assistance package. It included payments for workers from farriers to transport operators who lost their jobs, as well as $45 million for businesses and $44 million towards professional riders.
It is expected that the inquiry by former High Court judge Ian Callinan QC will hand down damning findings about the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, which came under Mr McGauran's portfolio, when it delivers his report into the EI outbreak later this month.
Mr McGauran would not officially confirm the appointment last night, but told The Australian he did not believe the role posed a potential conflict of interest.
"I would not accept a position with an organisation or industry body that benefited directly from any decision I made as minister," he said.
"The EI assistance package was distributed by Racing NSW and Queensland Racing, together with government agencies such as Centrelink.
"I had a lifetime interest and involvement with the racing and bloodstock industries, and my ambition has always been to work in them after politics."
He denied that the package was delivered in part to court the racing industry. "Retirement was the last thing on my mind," Mr McGauran said.
Racing NSW boss Peter V'Landys said yesterday that while Mr McGauran "was a help to us in dark times", the package did not directly assist breeders.
"There was no funding whatsoever for the breeders while he was in government," Mr V'Landys said.
Mr V'Landys denied it would be in any way inappropriate for Mr McGauran to take up the position with Thoroughbred Breeders.
"To be fair, he started off in the racing industry," he said.
The Nationals hold Mr McGauran's seat of Gippsland by a margin of 6 per cent. However, Coalition sources described recent party polling in the electorate as "challenging".