This masthead reported that 24 memberships linked to Kanga and his family were purchased by a single credit card in the lead-up to the MRC’s bitter boardroom battle last year, when he seized control of the $1 billion sporting club. The MRC denied the block of memberships affected the outcome of the club’s September elections and said they did not breach any rules.
Following publication of the story, this masthead was blocked from attending the MRC’s annual general meeting on Thursday night “for repeated attacks on the club and its chair”.
John Kanga with patrons spruiking the cheaper food options during a meeting at Sandown Racecourse in January.Credit: Getty Images
“Accreditation to club events is provided based on professional standards of accuracy and fairness. In our view, your recent coverage has fallen short of those standards,” the MRC said.
“This decision is final, and your invitation and access to the AGM have been withdrawn.”
Racing Minister Anthony Carbines on Thursday said he understood allegations about the MRC had been put to Racing Victoria and the Racing Integrity Commissioner, and he would “let them make assessments”.
“They’ll advise me of any action they think that I need to take as the minister or that they intend to take as the appropriate authorities,” he said.
“I’ll let them do their job. We have very strong integrity measures in the racing industry.”
Carbines noted that the MRC had issued a statement saying it had complied with the rules.
“Changes to club rules often require consultation with the racing minister, so it’s a matter for clubs to make determinations about their rules … but there is also engagement that needs to be had with other authorities if the changes are made.”
‘He voluntarily withdrew’
Brown, a former City of Dandenong mayor, had intended to stand against Kanga and fellow board members Alison Saville and Frank Polio, who were up for re-election this month.
But following Brown’s withdrawal and the elimination of a second potential candidate, whose nomination was ruled ineligible under the club rules, Kanga, Saville and Polio were re-elected unopposed.
In response to questions from this masthead, the MRC said Brown was not blocked from nominating.
“He voluntarily withdrew his candidacy after refusing to comply with the independent returning officer from CorpVote – an independent organisation engaged by the MRC to oversee the club’s election and nomination process – who required his candidate statement be amended to meet the club’s election rules,” the MRC said in the statement.
“Under the club’s rules, and to ensure fairness, all candidates are required to avoid making statements that are misleading, deceptive or disparage other nominees, committee members or the club.
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“Candidate statements are assessed by the independent returning officer to ensure they meet the club’s rules. Amendments are routine, and most candidates make them without issue – Mr Brown chose not to.”
But documents show that Brown did amend his original statement as initially requested and submitted a follow-up 200 word statement to the club. This statement was then redacted by the MRC election committee, reduced to 70 words.
CorpVote said it was unable to comment on the MRC’s election process.
The MRC, which owns the Caulfield, Sandown and Mornington racing clubs, is one of the richest sporting clubs in the country. It owns 112 hectares of land at Sandown Racecourse in Springvale worth more than $600 million and owns 15 poker machine venues that make almost $50 million profit a year.
Brown also claimed he was elected to fill a short-term casual vacancy on the MRC board at a July 7 meeting of the Mornington Advisory Group, a subcommittee that governs Mornington Racecourse, following the resignation of director Barbara Saunders. Brown alleged he was “stonewalled” from taking his seat.
The MRC disputed his claim, saying Brown did not “comply with the established processes” and “any assertion that he was prevented from filling the vacancy is not correct”.
CEO’s son suspended
Across town at Flemington, the teenage son of Victorian Racing Club CEO Kylie Rogers has had his membership suspended for three months for alleged underage drinking in the Flemington Racecourse committee room.
The VRC received an email complaint from a club member alleging that Rogers’ 17-year-old son was drinking in the invite-only area of the racecourse on Makybe Diva Stakes Day on September 17.
The VRC released a statement to say the VCE student had been suspended.
“The VRC prohibits the supply of alcohol to people under 18 and requires strict compliance under its liquor license,” the statement said.
“In line with club policy, we have initiated engagement with the regulator and have suspended the member.
“As the investigation into the VRC’s processes and procedures associated with the responsible service of alcohol is ongoing, the club will not be making any further comment at this point in time.”
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