WHAT WE DO
Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) conducts the commercial and regulatory functions of the harness racing industry in NSW. Operating under the Harness Racing Act 2009, HRNSW is chartered to operate autonomously of government in managing the strategic and commercial development of harness racing in NSW as a not-for-profit corporate body.
Functions performed by HRNSW include registration of harness racing clubs, strategic planning, insurance administration, allocation and scheduling of race meetings, distribution of funds, negotiation of commercial agreements, development of breeding and handicapping policy, management of capital works and the regulatory control of the industry, as well as a range of other activities previously performed by the NSW Harness Racing Authority (HRA) and the Greyhound and Harness Racing Regulatory Authority (GHRRA).
HRNSW employs over 30 staff to undertake the day-to-day running, management and administration of the industry and is also responsible for the publication and distribution of the NSW Harness Racing Gazette, the industry’s leading monthly magazine.
Board and management from HRNSW provide industry representation to Harness Racing Australia (HRA).
The HRNSW Board is selected by the Racing Minister in accordance with the Harness Racing Act 2009 which states:
(1) HRNSW is to consist of 5 members appointed as follows:
(a) 5 members recommended for appointment by the Selection Panel under section 7 and appointed by the Minister to give effect to the recommendation of the Selection Panel, unless the appointment is to fill a casual vacancy under paragraph (b),
(b) the appointment of a member to fill a casual vacancy (a vacancy in the office of a member occurring other than by reason of the completion of the member’s term of office) is to be made by the Minister on the nomination of HRNSW.
(2) A person is not eligible to be a member of HRNSW if the person:
(a) is an employee of a harness racing club, or
(b) is a member of the governing body of a harness racing club or eligible industry body, or
(c) is registered by or with HRNSW under this Act, or
(d) is registered or licensed by or with GRNSW under the Greyhound Racing Act 2009, or
(e) holds a licence issued by Racing New South Wales, or
(f) is currently, or during the previous 10 years has been, warned off, disqualified or named on the Unpaid Forfeit List under the rules, or
(g) during the previous 10 years has been convicted in New South Wales of an offence that is punishable by imprisonment for 12 months or more, or convicted elsewhere than in New South Wales of an offence that, if committed in New South Wales, would be an offence so punishable, or
(h) is an undischarged bankrupt or is taking advantage of the laws in force for the time being relating to bankruptcy, or
(i) is a mentally incapacitated person.
(3) A person is not eligible to be appointed as a member of HRNSW if the person is a member of the Selection Panel at the time the Selection Panel makes its recommendation for the appointment concerned.
(4) A person is not eligible to hold office as a member of HRNSW for more than 8 years in total (whether or not involving consecutive terms of office).
(5) While a person is a member of HRNSW, any entitlement of the person to vote as a member of a harness racing club or of an eligible industry body is suspended.
(6) Schedule 1 contains provisions relating to members of HRNSW.