The Racing Reform Group is deeply concerned by allegations and issues that were raised in Parliament on Wednesday August 26 against Racing NSW.
Documents were tabled and questions put to Racing Minister David Harris, who said he would consider them. We believe these allegations should be independently investigated by a third party.
Following this exchange, the Government voted to have parts of the discussion at this Estimates hearing redacted from the records. This was described by some politicians as “completely unprecedented” in the history of the NSW Parliament. We have removed a statement we published yesterday from online to ensure we comply with the directions published by the Legislative Council last night.
Notwithstanding the allegations raised in Parliament, serious questions must be asked regarding governance at Racing NSW. In October last year, the Privileges Committee called Racing NSW’s behaviour ‘deeply inappropriate’ and ruled they had sought to deter witnesses coming to the Rosehill inquiry for fear ‘of reprisals- the chilling effect.’ Earlier this month the same committee – chaired by a government member – said Racing NSW was taking disciplinary action against an MP as retaliation for his criticism of them.
There has been a lack of an appropriate response from Racing NSW to these issues.
When questioned about the release of the Hazzard review, Minister Harris yesterday said the document was being considered by Cabinet and would not give a timeline for its release. The RRG calls on the Government to make the report public immediately.
Racing NSW is an organisation that needs to be accountable to both the government and the industry it was set up to serve.
Racing Reform Group
