Racing Reform Group calls for Hazzard report release before V’landys succession

The Racing Reform Group NSW has called for the immediate release of Brad Hazzard’s review of thoroughbred racing governance before Racing NSW begins recruiting a permanent successor to chief executive Peter V’landys.

Racing NSW has confirmed that V’landys will leave the chief executive role on November 30, when his contract expires, after more than 22 years. He will become executive chairman of the NRL while retaining his chairmanship of the Australian Rugby League Commission.

“The resignation of Peter V’landys as CEO of Racing NSW should be the catalyst for the Premier to immediately release the report into the governance of Thoroughbred racing that was conducted by Brad Hazzard,” the Racing Reform Group said.

The former NSW health minister submitted his review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996 in July. The NSW Government was still considering it this month, with Racing Minister David Harris yet to provide a timetable for publication, as reported in The Straight’s examination of Racing NSW oversight.

The review’s terms of reference address governance structures and processes, transparency, stakeholder consultation, sustainability and possible legislative amendments. Its remit excludes provisions that establish Racing NSW as a body corporate independent of government, as well as provisions relating to thoroughbred racing industry funding arrangements.

The Racing Reform Group said it expected the review to recommend organisational and structural changes, although Hazzard’s findings have not been made public. It also called for the Racing NSW board to be refreshed after V’landys’s long tenure.

“The process for finding the next permanent CEO of Racing NSW should not begin until there is clarity around what the responsibilities for that role will be,” the group said. “Any attempt to quickly appoint a successor would be yet another governance failure from Racing NSW.”

Chief operating officer Graeme Hinton has been acting chief executive while V’landys has been on leave.

The Racing Reform Group had earlier questioned the board’s decision to permit V’landys to take long-service leave while working in rugby league, arguing that any vacancy should trigger a legitimate appointment process.

Its submission to the Hazzard review sought the separation of Racing NSW’s commercial and integrity functions, changes to board selection and terms, and stronger accountability measures.