The entire board of Greyhound Racing Victoria has resigned in the wake of an ongoing live baiting scandal.

The sport was in need of a fresh start, Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula said when announcing the change on Wednesday.

“For the industry to move forward, it requires a fresh start,” Mr Pakula said.

• Five Queensland greyhound trainers banned for life
• Live bait allegations hit greyhound racing

The announcement came after the resignation of the entire Greyhound Racing NSW board and lifetime bans on several trainers.

An investigation by ABC program Four Corners revealed the widespread use of live animals as bait during training in an attempt to make the animals run faster.

Former Essendon Football Club CEO Ray Gunston has been appointed the new Victorian chair. He will be joined on the board by former Victoria Police chief commissioner Ken Lay and Melbourne barrister Judith Bornstein.

The move would provide the strong leadership that “greyhound racing needs in order to provide cultural change,” Mr Pakula said.

“Cultural change being, I think, the very most important thing for the greyhound industry in the time ahead.”

The outgoing board was cleared of having direct knowledge that live baiting was occurring.