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Ross Kennedy, Executive Director, Gaming and Racing

As Executive Director, Mr Kennedy is responsible for the efficient and effective management of the Gaming and Racing Business Group as well as contributing to the corporate management of the department. He is also a member of the Justice Audit Committee.

The Gaming and Racing Business Group acts as the primary reference point for policy advice to the government, related statutory and non-statutory entities and industry and community stakeholders.

Mr Kennedy is responsible for ensuring that government policies are implemented and that appropriate structural and operational arrangements are in place for optimal industry regulation and development, benchmarked against world standards.

Honorific

• Public Service Medal (1999)
• Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (since 1998)

Work history

Immediately prior to joining the Justice executive team to establish the Gaming and Racing business group in 2003, Mr Kennedy was Executive Director, Sport, Recreation and Racing in the former Department of Tourism, Sport and the Commonwealth Games which included executive responsibility for the government's major events strategy and program of sport infrastructure renewal.

Before that he held similar Deputy Secretary positions in the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism (1994-1996), the Department of State and Regional Development (1996-1999) and the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (1999-2002).

Career achievements

Ross Kennedy led or was significantly involved in major projects and initiatives including the:

• development of the Cranbourne Thoroughbred Training Complex, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (Albert Park) and State Netball and Hockey Centre (Royal Park)
• MCG redevelopment
• Melbourne 1996 Olympic Bid
• Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Bid
• stock exchange float of the TAB
• establishment of Racing Victoria Ltd
• consolidation of Victorian gambling laws and reform of gambling regulatory arrangements.