BOB Bentley doesn't think holding senior positions at Queensland Racing and a betting firm at the same time ever led to a conflict of interest.
Mr Bentley was the first witness called before the Queensland Racing Commission of Inquiry into horse, greyhound and harness racing industries under the former Labor government.
He was grilled on Thursday about his time as chairman of the racing body between 2002 and 2012, specifically because he was a Tatts Group director at the same time.
Counsel assisting James Bell QC said that, under a deal, Tatts paid to use Queensland Racing information for it's betting businesses until 2008.
Tatts then began to withhold fees which eventually amounted to $91 million.
Tatts' actions were raised with Queensland Racing chairman Mr Bentley, who sought advice on whether they were allowed.
He asked a Tatts director whether the firm's actions were legal and the director told Mr Bentley they were under the deal.
"I see nothing wrong with that," Mr Bentley told the inquiry.
"Where else was I going to ask."
Mr Bell responded: "You could ask a lawyer, who's representing the company (Queensland Racing) you're the chairman of."
Mr Bell also tabled a deed the former chairman had signed in 2011, which gave four Queensland Racing board members a substantial raise in entitlements, including waiving the notice period for their resignations.
All four received substantial payouts upon quitting the board days after the Liberal National Party came to power in 2012.
The deed gave Mr Bentley legal indemnity and stipulated that Queensland Racing would pay his legal fees.
Mr Bell questioned whether he had done that because he knew he'd gone too far with the board entitlements.
"We suspected that if ... the government had changed (after the election) then this very thing (an inquiry) may very well happen," Mr Bentley said.
"Our detractors (political opponents) are very skilled at this sort of thing."
At one point Mr Bentley explained how he'd sought legal advice to end speculation about a conflict of interest arising from him holding senior positions at Queensland Racing and Tatts simultaneously.
"I asked, 'let's put this issue to bed, let's get proper advice and do it'," Mr Bentley said.
Mr Bell replied: "Did that get it put it to bed?".
"Nothing in racing ever gets put to bed if someone's got a problem," Mr Bentley replied.
The inquiry is set to continue on Friday.
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