A statement from the Racing Reform Group NSW on Racing NSW Supreme Court Appeal. 

The Racing Reform Group notes that Racing NSW will appeal their recent loss in the Supreme Court, which means more of the industry’s money will be spent on lawyers and the matter will distract from the autumn carnival. 

Racing NSW’s justification – that the Court’s decision could impact their ability to fund operations, infrastructure and facilities at race clubs across the state- does not stand up to reasoning. 

Brad Hazzard is in the final stages of delivering his review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act, the very legislation at the centre of the Supreme Court decision. If there are legitimate concerns about the impact of this week’s ruling, they should be addressed in Mr Hazzard’s review and the Act can be amended on his recommendation. 

This review, far more than costly and adversarial litigation, is the appropriate mechanism for resetting the relationship between the regulator and race clubs. Racing NSW’s claims that provincial and country clubs are in a strong financial position does not align with the feedback we have received time and again from clubs across the state. 

For participants to understand the industry’s finances, we call on Racing NSW to follow other principal racing authorities and publish a full breakdown of their income from wagering and other sources. 

The regulator should also provide transparent information on their financial transactions with clubs, including the transfer of assets and provision of grants. Only by doing this can we assess how Racing NSW are spending the industry’s money. 

The Hazzard review is a crucial piece of work and, to ensure racing remains sustainable for generations, it needs to recommend that Racing NSW becomes accountable to the industry and government, and set clear limits on its powers. The Minister for Racing, David Harris, and the government need to then implement these reforms.