[no bill text published] Extension of Appointment for the Chairperson of Racing NSW
Thoroughbred Racing Amendment Bill 2023
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Introduced by: The Hon John Graham MLC (ALP); The Hon David Harris MP (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Damien Tudehope LIB
“On behalf of the Opposition, I join in debate on the Thoroughbred Racing Amendment Bill 2023. At the outset I state that the Opposition does not oppose the bill. However, the support is conditional upon amendments that we will move in the Committee stage that we believe will strengthen the accountability and transparency relating to the manner in which the Act is applied.”
Emma Hurst AJP
“I speak on behalf of the Animal Justice Party to indicate its strong opposition to the Thoroughbred Racing Amendment Bill 2023 and to express my disgust at the decision of the Minns Labor Government to extend the term of the chairman for Racing NSW, Russell Balding. It is the third time that Mr Balding has had his term as chairman extended since I was elected as an MLC in 2019.”
Mark Latham IND
“The Thoroughbred Racing Amendment Bill 2023 represents a very Sydney story. It is about the exercise of power to see who wins and who loses, who has their ego stroked and who is discarded, on a matter of limited impact, essentially.”
Abigail Boyd GRN
“The Greens oppose the Thoroughbred Racing Amendment Bill 2023. There have been attempts by the Government to justify the bill on the supposed merits of Mr Balding as chair, and we could spend a long time talking about the different views of Mr Balding’s performance in the role.”
Bob Nanva ALP
“I support the Government’s Thoroughbred Racing Amendment Bill 2023. The Government is committed to a responsible, sustainable and competitive racing industry, with the highest standards of animal welfare. I do not doubt that all the other speakers who have contributed to the debate are motivated by the same cause.”
John Graham ALP
“I thank all members for their contributions to the debate—and perhaps for that last contribution in particular. I thank the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Emma Hurst, Ms Abigail Boyd and the Hon. Bob Nanva for their contributions. We have canvassed the issues well.”
News articles and press releases
Thoroughbred Racing Amendment Bill 2023
Mr DAVID HARRIS, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty — 2023-11-21
The bill seeks to amend the Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996 in relation to the term of office of the chair, who will reach the maximum tenure of 12 years at the expiration of his current term in December this year. The proposed amendment will extend the term of appointment of Mr Balding as the chair and a member of Racing NSW for a further two years, from 19 December 2023 to 18 December 2025. The New South Wales Government has carefully considered this extension and the options available. This amendment recognises the need for continuity of corporate knowledge of the Racing NSW board. The Government considers that this knowledge will be crucial for navigating changing regulatory and economic reforms confronting the racing industry over the next two years.