JOCKEYS may have to consent, as part of their licences, to having their phones intercepted by police upon the request of Racing Victoria integrity officers to protect the integrity of the sport, Victorian Racehorse Owners Association chairman Jonathan Munz said yesterday, reports The Age.It says: Amid allegations that four Victorian jockeys, as well as other racing figures, are being investigated for corruption, Munz yesterday urged the racing industry and the state government to consider the mo

JOCKEYS may have to consent, as part of their licences, to having their phones intercepted by police upon the request of Racing Victoria integrity officers to protect the integrity of the sport, Victorian Racehorse Owners Association chairman Jonathan Munz said yesterday, reports The Age.

It says: Amid allegations that four Victorian jockeys, as well as other racing figures, are being investigated for corruption, Munz yesterday urged the racing industry and the state government to consider the move to permit authorities to tap jockeys' phones. It would be a way of protecting the industry's revenue by providing confidence to punters.

Munz said: ''Jockeys should, as a condition of their licence, be required to consent to their phones and conversations being intercepted if that is required by the chief steward or RVL head of integrity on a reasonable basis, in conjunction with the police. The majority of jockeys, who all do the right thing, should have no concerns about such a requirement.''

He said that people consented to being taped every day, whether it be in booking a flight, buying shares or having a phone bet with the TAB.

Munz also said that it was time Racing Victoria's senior integrity officers were provided with security clearance status to enable them to get evidence in real time from the police during a police investigation. Racing Victoria stewards are very frustrated as they have their hands tied. Investigations are on hold, awaiting evidence from the police, concerning a number of races being investigated in Victoria in recent years.

''RVL's senior integrity officers need proper access to all the information available to police, with adequate safeguards provided. Apart from enhancing co-operation between RVL and the police, this will enable RVL to investigate integrity breach matters on a timely basis, in real time, in co-operation and conjunction with the police.''