A new organisation dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of the NSW Thoroughbred industry has been established featuring a number of prominent participants.
The current review of the legislation that establishes Racing NSW represents a crucial juncture in the industry’s future, and the Racing Reform Group NSW features a steering committee that brings a vast amount of experience from across racing administration, ownership and breeding to best address this opportunity and challenge.
One of the group’s first objectives is to have the terms of reference for the government review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act, which is being conducted by former Health Minister Brad Hazzard, broadened. Under the current terms of reference, two critical areas have been excluded: the funding model of racing and the relationship between Racing NSW and the state government.
The Racing Reform Group has lodged a petition on the NSW Parliamentary website calling for these issues to be included. The group is also encouraging all participants in the industry to make a submission to the Hazzard Review.
“We really are in a crucial period for racing in NSW and it is important that those who care passionately about our industry have their voices heard,” said Brian Nutt, who is secretary of the group.
He added: “The Hazzard review is especially important in shaping what racing will look like in the years ahead, but at the moment it can’t look at two of the most critical areas. We’re calling on the Minister to change the scope of the inquiry so Mr Hazzard can examine all the major issues.
"The feedback I hear again and again is we must have these issues included, so we need those who care about horse racing to get online and support the petition.”
Others on the Steering Group include prominent owner Jason Abrahams, lawyer and owner David Walter, Helen Sinclair, who has decades of experience in race club management across the state, Yarraman Park’s Arthur Mitchell, former Australian Turf Club and Australian Jockey Club director Julia Ritchie and bloodstock agent Will Johnson.
The Racing Reform Group will be making a submission to the Hazzard review, but Abrahams said anyone with a passion about the industry’s future people should consider engaging with the process.
He said: “There isn’t long left, with submissions closing next Monday afternoon, but the process is easy. Either upload your own submission or Hill in a survey on the review site.
“If you want to see improvements in how racing is administered then it’s important to make your voice heard and share your opinions. We need some really strong recommendations that will identify positive changes for consideration by Minister Harris and this can only come about by providing insightful submissions to the review."
The Racing Reform Group has launched a site at reformnswracing.org which hosts details of the petition and how to get involved in the conversation about racing in the state.
The petition can be signed through the following link: Petition to Expand Hazzard Review Terms of Reference
