Legislation to extend the tenure of the current Racing NSW chair for the third time was dropped in the early hours of the last sitting day following amendments in the Legislative Council that would have subjected Racing NSW to external oversight and scrutiny. There is no sound reason for the Chair of the NSW Racing Board to have their appointment extended again to an unheard-of 14 years, with no selection process or review.

The board chair’s provides leadership and oversights the executive, holding it to account – a critical role for an organisation that receives over $400 million in State funds but has had no external oversight. Horse racing profits from animal cruelty and gambling harm with the industry vulnerable to corruption and undue interference due to the huge sums of money up for grabs.

I opposed the legislation in the Legislative Assembly and sought to insert a process in the legislation to ensure the chair’s tenure is not extended again. We should legislate to strengthen transparency, not to keep one man in control. 

My speech and amendments > HERE and the Sydney Morning herald report > HERE