The NSW government will attempt to legislate reforms from the upcoming Hazzard review into the Thoroughbred Racing Act before the March 2027 election, but concedes it may have to push broader changes into the next term.
NSW Racing Minister David Harris says his government will attempt to legislate any reforms arising from the Hazzard review into the Thoroughbred Racing Act before the next state election, but has stopped short of guaranteeing any changes will pass this term.
Harris, addressing a NSW Parliamentary budget estimates committee, says urgent recommendations will be prioritised once the final report is received, while conceding broader structural reforms could be put on hold.
“If possible,” Harris said when asked whether he was committed to legislating approved recommendations before NSW voters go to the polls on March 13, 2027, where the Chris Minns government will be seeking re-election.
“But there’s a legislative schedule, and it’s whether or not we can fit it into that schedule.”
The review is being led by former Liberal minister Brad Hazzard, who was appointed in August 2025.
Hazzard’s role was announced more than a year after the collapse of the proposed $5 billion sale of Rosehill, a saga that intensified scrutiny of racing governance and ministerial oversight in NSW.
It is a statutory probe of the Thoroughbred Racing Act itself – a piece of legislation that establishes Racing NSW’s structure, powers and accountability mechanisms.
Under the terms of reference, Hazzard has been asked to examine if the Act remains fit for purpose, whether current governance arrangements provide sufficient checks and balances, and whether ministerial oversight and reporting mechanisms are adequate.
Harris stressed the review’s independence and acknowledged that broader cultural and operational matters have surfaced during consultation.
“In a conversation with him (Hazzard), he’s also picked up a lot of other thoughts (and) opinions about the industry and how the industry is run, and he may want to deal with that as part of his report as well,” Harris said.
Harris said this may fall outside the scope of legislative amendment and instead sit with the Racing NSW board.
“(The) Racing NSW board is independent, and they’re responsible for operational issues,” he said.
“So it might be, in a sense, like the Drake report (into Greyhound Racing NSW), where there are some things that a government and legislation can deal with and other things would have to be referred to the board for their consideration in terms of their operations.”
Harris also told the hearing that he didn’t believe it was mandatory for Racing NSW to release an updated industry strategic plan, something that critics of the regulator have been demanding for the better part of two years.
In an about-face, he subsequently clarified that statement by saying it was a requirement under the Act, but despite his position as racing minister, he had no authority to enforce the plan’s publication.
Harris said the situation that would be something the Hazzard Review would look to address.
Following his appointment, Hazzard called for written submissions from industry stakeholders, which closed in December after a deadline extension.
Under the initial timeline, Hazzard’s final report is expected to be delivered to the government in the next few months.
When handed down, Harris said the review would trigger a staged government response.
“Once we get the report, obviously there has to be discussion and consultation that’s undertaken, and then any changes specific to legislation have to go to Parliamentary Counsel, etc. There has to then be consent,” Harris said.
In practice, that means the report will first be considered by the minister and cabinet, followed by decisions about which recommendations to support in full, in part or not at all.
If legislative amendments are endorsed, drafting instructions will be sent to Parliamentary Counsel. Exposure drafts may then be circulated to key stakeholders before a bill is introduced to Parliament.
“So if there are urgent things, we will try to put that in place. If not, then certainly we’ll make a commitment to do that the next term in government,” Harris said.
The review was commissioned as part of the fallout from the Australian Turf Club’s failed Rosehill sale proposal.
The plan to sell the racecourse for redevelopment triggered a significant backlash from ATC members and the wider racing industry, prompting a parliamentary inquiry into governance, transparency and consultation processes surrounding the potential transaction.
While that inquiry focused on how the Rosehill proposal was handled, Hazzard’s review is more fundamental to the workings of the NSW racing industry.
Harris deflected strong questions about the racing industry and the operations of Racing NSW from Nationals member Wes Fang and independent MP Mark Latham.
Fang asked Harris if he would seek to establish a parliamentary inquiry into Racing NSW, which he said would not happen.
It is not known if this represents a change in the National Party’s position on seeking greater transparency from Racing NSW.
Article from The Straight: https://thestraight.com.au/broad-nsw-racing-act-reform-may-have-to-wait-until-after-2027-election/
