Hanrahan v Queensland Racing Integrity Commission

QUEENSLAND CIVIL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL

CITATION:

Hanrahan v Queensland Racing Integrity Commission [2025] QCATA 100

PARTIES:

BRONWYN HANRAHAN

(applicant/appellant)

v

QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

(respondent)

APPLICATION NO/S:

APL290-25

MATTER TYPE:

Appeals

DELIVERED ON:

31 October 2025

HEARING DATE:

On the papers

HEARD AT:

Brisbane

DECISION OF:

Senior Member Fitzpatrick

ORDERS:

The application for a stay of the decision of the Racing Appeals Panel made on 26 June 2025 is refused.

CATCHWORDS:

APPEAL AND NEW TRIAL – PROCEDURE – QUEENSLAND – STAY OF PROCEEDINGS – GENERAL PRINCIPLES AS TO GRANT OR REFUSAL – where Stewards impose penalty of a fine and suspension of licence for 12 months – where suspension of licence charge suspended wholly for two years conditional upon good behaviour – where applicant cannot obtain her licence until the fine is paid or payment plan is entered into – whether a monetary fine falls within the definition of “disqualification action” under the Racing Integrity Act2016 (Qld) – whether the Appeal Tribunal can grant a stay of the decision of the Stewards

Acts Interpretation Act 1954 (Qld), s 14B

Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009 (Qld), s 145

Racing Integrity Act2016 (Qld), s 252AA, s 252AH, s 252AU, sch 1

Associated Newpapers Ltd v Wavish (1956) 96 CLR 526

Day v Humphrey [2017] QCA 104
Gillespie v Ford (1978) 19 ALR 102

R v Zamagias [2002] NSWCCA 17

APPEARANCES & REPRESENTATION:

This matter was heard and determined on the papers pursuant to s 32 of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act2009 (Qld)

Applicant:

Self-represented

Respondent:

E Ballard, solicitor

REASONS FOR DECISION

1. The applicant, Bronwyn Hanrahan, has filed an appeal against a decision of the Racing Appeals Panel made on 26 June 2025 pursuant to s 252AH of the Racing Integrity Act2016 (Qld) (‘RI Act’) – to confirm a racing decision of the Stewards to impose a penalty on Ms Hanrahan.

2. On 26 May 2025 the penalty imposed by the Stewards was:

   (a)for charge one a fine of $6,000.00;

   (b)for charges two and three a fine of $6,000.00 for each charge and a suspension of licence for a period of 12 months for each charge.

   (c)the penalties for charges two and three suspended for a period of two years, conditional upon Ms Hanrahan not being found in breach of any matters relating to a prohibited substance during that time.

3. Ms Hanrahan seeks a stay of the Racing Appeals Panel’s decision.

4. To succeed in a stay application Ms Hanrahan must show a reasonably arguable case, that she would be materially disadvantaged without a stay, and that the balance of convenience favours the granting of a stay.[1]

   [1]Day v Humphrey [2017] QCA 104 [6].

5. The application will be considered pursuant to s 145 of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009 (Qld) (‘QCAT Act’).

Submissions

1. The application stresses that Ms Hanrahan does not believe she should have to pay a $6,000.00 fine for “something I haven’t done”. Ms Hanrahan says she cannot obtain her…