Injured SA greyhound trainer ordered to return $40k in compensation

A greyhound trainer who sustained injuries after being hit by a 28-kilogram mechanical lure during a race track event in September 2022 has been ordered to return $40,000 in compensation to South Australia's racing body, Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA). The SA Employment Tribunal initially awarded the compensation in 2023, but GRSA has appealed the decision.

The tribunal now finds that the compensation was not justified under proper processes outlined in the Sentencing Act. Additionally, GRSA's $255,000 fine has been reduced to $180,000 due to their early guilty plea. The incident left the trainer with fractures, broken teeth, and mouth lacerations, necessitating hospitalization and two surgeries.

The tribunal ruled that GRSA was liable for the injuries as they had not conducted an adequate risk assessment. Despite this, neither the trainer nor Safework SA submitted a case for compensation in the original proceedings, which is required under the Sentencing Act. The tribunal also upheld the criminal conviction against GRSA, but reduced the fine after finding that GRSA's failure to contact the victim was based on legal advice related to a separate damages claim. GRSA has declined to comment on the tribunal's decision.