As the political fallout from the proposal to redevelop and sell off Rosehill racecourse was hitting fever pitch in late April, NSW Racing Minister David Harris quietly appointed former parliamentarian George Souris as Racing NSW deputy chairman.
There is no obligation to publicly announce such an appointment, and indeed the board members section of the Racing NSW website was updated at this point to reflect the new roles and that Souris’ term at Racing NSW had been extended until April 2028.
But given the political scrutiny on the Rosehill process, the Minns’ government’s botched attempt to extend the chairmanship of Russell Balding, and then the highly publicised subsequent appointment of previous deputy chair Saranne Cooke to the role of chair in February, the lack of public acknowledgement of Souris’ promotion seems odd.
The Straight asked Harris about Souris’ appointment, the selection process behind the decision and whether there was any wider dissemination of the move in April other than an update of his biography on the Racing NSW website.
“In April 2024, the long-standing Racing NSW board member George Souris AM was appointed deputy chair of Racing NSW following a selection process,” a spokesperson for Harris said.
“The vacancy arose due to the appointment of former deputy chair Dr Saranne Cooke as chair of Racing NSW in February.
“Expressions of interest in the office of deputy chair were sought from existing members of Racing NSW.
“The Minister requested the selection panel that recommended Dr Cooke to reconvene to consider the suitability of all interested candidates.”
The selection panel which chose Cooke is believed to have included Elizabeth Mildwater, Don Colagiuri and former Harness Racing NSW chief John Dumesny.
As revealed in The Straight in February, Dumesny has described himself as a lifelong friend of Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys.
Harris was recently asked about the composition of this panel in response to a written question in NSW parliament, and said it was within the terms of the Thoroughbred Racing Act.
“The selection process to fill vacancies in the offices of Racing NSW chair and member that arose in December 2023 was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996, including the appointment of a probity advisor to oversee the process and the completion of conflict-of-interest declarations by all members of the selection panel,” he said.
Harris told The Straight that the deputy chair appointment came after the panel reported to him.
“Following consideration of the panel’s report, the Minister appointed Mr Souris for the next four years – with his appointment as a member of Racing NSW extended to align with this term,” he said.
“Mr Souris has extensive experience as a coalition government minister and shadow minister for more than 23 years, with direct experience as a former racing minister and shadow Racing Minister.”
The Straight does not suggest anything untoward about Souris's appointment or that he is unqualified for the role.
Souris, who served 27 years in the NSW Parliament and three years as Racing Minister from 2011 to 2014, first joined the Racing NSW board in December 2017.
The extension of his terms for another four years will extend Souris’s time on the Racing NSW board beyond 10 years, something made possible by the legislation passed by the previous government to allow board members to serve up to 12 years on the board.
This allowed Balding to remain chairman for another two years until 2023. A similar extension was put before parliament last year to extend those terms further, but Harris pulled this legislation at the last moment after considerable political resistance.
The Straight asked Harris if Souris's appointment as deputy chair and extension of his term was publicised anywhere aside from the Racing NSW’s website update, but didn’t receive a further response.
