New South Wales Racing Minister David Harris has defended the credentials of Brad Hazzard to lead the review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act, saying it was a positive that he had found someone who was not influenced by existing racing politics to lead the process.
Harris addressed parliamentary estimates on Tuesday, where he was on the end of a stern line of questioning surrounding the racing portfolio from Independent MP Mark Latham, a noted critic of Racing NSW, the Minns government and the Australian Turf Club.
Harris deflected a variety of questions from Latham about racing issues, including appointments to the Racing NSW board and the relationship between the regulator and supplier Evergreen Turf.
Latham was critiquing the terms of reference for the review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act which Hazzard is about to undertake, including the specific decision to exclude provisions of the Act that establish Racing NSW as a body corporate that is independent of government and any aspects concerning thoroughbred racing industry funding arrangements.
The Independent MP referred to Hazzard not regularly attending race meetings, when Harris interjected.
“Maybe it's good that someone who doesn't go to the races is reviewing the Act,” he said.
“There's a lot of people with a lot of opinions in racing and it may be better that someone that's not going to be influenced and actually wants to do a good job.”
Harris confirmed in March that he would commission a full review of the Act, which was introduced in 1996. It was in response to concerns raised during the Rosehill parliamentary inquiry. He then spent five months looking for a suitable person to head up the inquiry before Hazzard was confirmed earlier this month.
“Minister Hazzard has a very good history in government. He understands legislation. He understands the interaction between legislation and government processes,” Harris said on Tuesday.
“I discussed it with him broadly and I was confident that he will do a good job and I think he will do a good job.”
Bren O’Brien
Stakeholder consultation is set to begin in October with Harris saying on Tuesday that submissions could cover any matter of issues and would not be constrained by the terms of reference.
“The terms of reference apply specifically to a review of the legislation,” he said. “People are entitled to put in other views and other submissions and they will be considered by Mr Hazzard.”
In other exchanges between Harris and Latham, the Racing Minister said he backed in Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys.
“Peter V’landys is a bit of a force of nature. I have to say that I haven't met many people with his drive and understanding of what he does, his breadth of knowledge and certainly his drive of purpose,” Harris said.
Harris did reveal he was made aware that the first Rosehill vote was to be called one or two days before it was publicly announced on March 28.
“I have no call on intervention. I was not involved in any decision making in terms of that happening. All I got was that it had been called off,” he said.
Questioned by Latham about the re-appointment process last year of two Racing NSW board members, Garry Charny and Michael Crismale, the Minister said the selection process could not be discussed as it was cabinet in confidence.
Bren O’Brien
Latham accused Harris of trying to keep the process secret by putting in through cabinet, but the Racing Minister said it was now standard process for such statutory appointments across the board.
He also refused to bite on accusations put forward by Latham on whether the relationship between supplier Evergreen Turf and Racing NSW was being properly conducted.
“I can't really comment without knowing the full details, and I said I'm happy to look into it,” the Minister said.
Bren O’Brien
