09 August 2007 : MEDIA RELEASE

NSW RACING MINISTER RESPONDS TO CRITICISM OF LAME DUCK COMMITTEES BY GIVING POWER TO INDUSTRY PARTICIPANTS

Thursday, 9th of August: NSW Racehorse Owners Association President, Stephen van Eyk, today welcomed increased industry participation in decision making resulting from the formation of the Racing Industry Consultation Group (RICG). However, he expressed some reservations over the new structure of NSW Racing as announced by the Racing Minister Graham West.

“I can understand why the minister has set up a body like the Racing Industry Consultation Group (RICG) given the constant criticism from the industry that previous committees like the Racing Industry Participants Advisory Committee (RIPAC) were ‘lame ducks’,” said Mr van Eyk. “Certainly the racing industry can’t complain that they have no input into decision making under the new arrangements.”

However, NSW Racehorse Owners Association questions that if the RICG is to make the vital decisions on the future of racing, what will be the result for the calibre of the Racing NSW board. There is also a concern about the inter-relationship between RICG and Racing NSW. Given the rigorous statutory obligations of directors these days, there is the assumption that all decisions made by RICG will be subject to ratification by Racing NSW, or no one would sit on the RICG given the risk involved, said Mr van Eyk. If Racing NSW is not to ratify the decisions made by RICG, then one would be reluctant to be an officer of Racing NSW due to unknown liabilities being incurred by RICG.

The Association believes the new structure appears to be a recipe for confusion and clarification is required.

Overall, industry participants, including owners, have more say in the decisions affecting the racing industry than was previously the case, said Mr van Eyk. This can only be applauded by the NSW Racehorse Owners Association. However it was not in the form expected by the Association.

Whether the new structure actually functions in practice will depend on the calibre of experience of those sitting on RICG and their willingness to take a long view on industry issues. This has not been the case in the past.

Contact: Stephen Van Eyk
Ph: 0411 696 072