Courtesy of The Dogs

Written by: GRNSW 13/05/09
The NSW Government has announced that the legislation which enables the merger of GRNSW and the greyhound division of the Greyhound and Harness Racing Regulatory Authority (GHRRA) moved through parliament yesterday.

The passing of the bill allows for preparations to continue for a smooth amalgamation of the two businesses into one organisation so there is little or no disruption or inconvenience to members of the sport.

In coming weeks the Board of GRNSW will provide a full update on the progress and impacts of the merger in a detailed statement.

Below is the official Media Release from Minister Greene’s office in relation to the passing of the legislation.



GREYHOUND AND HARNESS RACING REFORMS PASS PARLIAMENT

Reforms to ensure the ongoing integrity and viability of the harness and greyhound racing industries passed through NSW Parliament today.

Gaming and Racing Minister Kevin Greene said the new legislation introduces significant changes to the commercial and regulatory oversight of the two racing codes.

“This is a cost efficient and effective system of regulation that brings in a single controlling body for each of the greyhound and harness codes,” Mr Greene said.

“A new independent Board structure for GRNSW and HRNSW will be introduced, where Board members cannot be aligned to any industry group and must act in the best interests of the industry as a whole.

“The changes were made after requests by the majority of industry participants during reviews and consultation, and the new Board structure will begin after a review into future options for selection of Board members has been completed,” he said.

Mr Greene said the transfer of functions and responsibility from the Greyhound and Harness Racing Regulatory Authority to Greyhound Racing NSW and Harness Racing NSW can now continue.

“An industry consultation group will now be established for each code to ensure formal consultation between the controlling bodies and industry participants,” he said.

“The reforms also recognise that people committed to the industry with extensive racing knowledge should continue to have close involvement with the bodies and that the codes must develop strategic plans in consultation with industry groups.

“An independent integrity auditor function across all three codes will work to deal with complaints about the conduct of racing officials, and the appeal tribunals of all three codes will be merged under a single entity to be known as the Racing Appeals Tribunal.

“From a safety point of view, it’s pleasing to see a new offence introduced for unauthorised persons invading racecourses. Penalties range from expulsion, a $500 penalty notice, a 12-month ban, a life ban, and a maximum court penalty of $5500.

‘The legislation also provides entitlements to Authority staff who transfer to the new bodies, such as a 2 year guarantee of employment and an entitlement to a 4per cent increase in salary for those employed at 1 July 2009 and 2010.

“These reforms ensure the greyhound and harness racing codes have an integrated whole of industry governance framework to protect their ongoing viability and integrity,” he said.