🔒 🔒 NSW racing minister David Harris to retire at March election

NSW Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris will leave parliament at the March 2027 state election.

However, he will retain the racing portfolio until polling day, with the industry still waiting on the government’s response to the review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996.

“Today I announce that I will not re-contest my seat of Wyong at the upcoming New South Wales State Election on 13 March 2027,” Harris said in his official retirement statement.

“I can confirm that I will continue in my current role as the local member for Wyong and carry out my full ministerial duties within the Minns Labor Government until the election.”

Harris is the first frontbencher in Chris Minns’ government to announce his departure ahead of the election.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Labor had delayed opening preselection in Wyong while he considered whether to stand again.

Harris described his parliamentary career as spanning 16 years, following 23 years in public education as a teacher, executive and principal.

He has held Wyong across two stints, from 2007 to 2011 and again since 2015. Since April 2023, he has served as Minister for Gaming and Racing alongside the Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, Veterans, Medical Research and Central Coast portfolios.

The most significant piece of racing business on his desk remains the review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act led by former Health Minister Brad Hazzard.

The review followed the parliamentary inquiry into the proposed development of Rosehill Racecourse, whose December 2024 report recommended a thorough examination of whether the Act was fit for purpose.

Hazzard’s terms of reference covered Racing NSW’s governance structures, rules for appointing board members and limits on their terms, transparency around its commercial activities and public-interest responsibilities, stakeholder consultation and the sustainability of the industry, including in regional NSW.

Racing NSW’s independence from government and the industry’s funding arrangements were excluded.

Hazzard delivered his report in late July. At budget estimates in August, Harris confirmed it was under government consideration but gave no timetable for publication, including when asked whether the recommendations would be released before the election.

The dispute escalated on October 15, when the Legislative Council suspended government upper house leader Penny Sharpe for the remainder of the day’s sitting over the government’s refusal to table the review, which it has treated as a Cabinet document.

Harris’ retirement also comes as Racing NSW changes leadership. Graeme Hinton, who has been acting chief executive since July after serving as chief operating officer, was unanimously appointed to the role permanently and formally starts on December 1.

On the gaming side of his portfolio, Harris backed a motion at Labor’s 2026 state conference seeking a stronger party position on poker-machine reform.

Harris said he looked forward to spending more time with his wife Sherelle and their daughters, while remaining committed to the Central Coast.

“Until the election in March 2027, my focus remains firmly on delivering outcomes for Wyong and advancing my responsibilities across the Cabinet,” he said.

Racing NSW Chairman Dr Saranne Cooke paid tribute to his contribution.

“We were very fortunate to have a Racing Minister in David that cared deeply about the industry, our race clubs and participants.

“I saw first-hand how David spent time attending meetings across NSW and he had a particular focus on getting around to speak with as many people on course as possible at many Metropolitan, Country and Provincial meetings.”

“We wish David and his family all the very best for the future and hope to still see him regularly at his beloved Wyong Race Club.”