17 August 2007 : MEDIA RELEASE

Owners Support Ministers Racing Initiatives

The Vice President of the NSW Race horse Owners Association, Mr Ray McDowell, together with fellow director, Michael Yates, met with the Director of the Office of Gaming and Racing, Mr John Whelan, and Mr Ken Brown yesterday to receive further detail on the Minister’s initiatives for the thoroughbred racing industry announced last week.

The Government recognised as part of the review, the financial contribution of Owners to the racing industry and the desirability of Owners having their own right to nominate a representative to the new Racing Industry Consultation Group (“RICG”). Mr McDowell said, “It was very pleasing that after many years of seeking this right, that the importance of the Owner to the industry has been recognised. It was also good to see Trainers, Jockeys and Breeders get the same right.”

The RICG is to meet the Board of Racing NSW at least once every two months for the purposes of consultation and to provide advice to the Racing NSW Board. By legislating for compulsory consultation, industry participants will have the opportunity of regular and direct consultation with RacingNSW. I see this as just as an important role for RICG as it’s ‘significant industry matters’ decision making role”.

It was made clear at this meeting that the areas the RICG will have ultimate decision making power over are going to be specifically limited to the three issues set out by the Minister. Mr Yates stated that “The proposed new structure does not materially reduce the importance or role of the new independent Racing NSW Board. This Board will have ultimate control of the commercial and regulatory issues coming before Racing NSW, other than these limited areas. At a practical level, I see the Racing NSW Board still being able to bring influence to the areas left with the RICG for ultimate decision, as it will influence the proposals on these issues brought to the RICG by Racing NSW”.

After hearing the further detail from the Government on the initiatives, Mr Yates dismissed concerns that the structure would not attract high quality candidates to the Racing NSW Board. He said, “The potential for Racing NSW Board members to be personally liable for courses of conduct taken by Racing NSW as a result of RICG decisions is remote at best. In any case, the Government intends to deal with any potential personnel liability issues in these circumstances in the new legislation”. He said, “I do not believe the structure will impede the attraction of interested and highly qualified personnel to the Racing NSW Board”.

Contacts:

Ray McDowell
Ph: 0418 966 739

Michael Yates
Ph: 0417 105 894