Hazzard report faces fresh release pressure

NSW Shadow Racing Minister Dave Layzell has called on the state government to release the long-awaited Hazzard Review into the Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996.

Layzell said the review, conducted by former NSW minister Brad Hazzard, had been handed to Racing Minister David Harris in July and should now be made public.

“Many important participants in the industry made significant and detailed submissions into the review – they deserve to see the report,” Layzell said.

He said only six sitting weeks remained before the NSW Parliament rose ahead of the March 2027 state election, leaving limited time for the government to respond.

Layzell said it would be “tardy” for the Minns Government to continue withholding the report, particularly given the issues facing country clubs across the state.

“Racing is about more than Randwick and Rosehill,” Layzell said.

“Country race clubs from the Murrumbidgee to Murwillumbah want to know what the state government can do to assist them to be sustainable and ensure thriving local racing industries.”