The boss of Racing NSW has lost a defamation case over an ABC expose on animal cruelty and wastage in the industry.
Peter V’landys sued the broadcaster in the Federal Court over a 7.30 episode titled The Final Race, which revealed retired racehorses were being slaughtered in a Queensland abattoir.
Mr V’landys alleged the program, which aired in October 2019, defamed him and damaged his reputation as a regulator.
He claimed he was denied procedural fairness because he was not shown hidden camera footage recorded in a Meramist abattoir before or during his interview.
Justice Michael Wigney today ruled that none of the four imputations allegedly contained in the program were conveyed, and dismissed the case with costs against Mr V’landys.
The judge said the overall impression of the report was that the slaughter of thoroughbreds in knackeries was occurring because rules put in place by the industry were “inadequate and ineffective”.
More to come.
