Clubs & Associations

INDUSTRY STRUCTURE - ASSOCIATIONS

Harness Racing Industry Consultation Group (HRIGC)
The Harness Racing Industry Consultation Group was formed in accordance with the Harness Racing Act 2009.

MEMBERSHIP

HRICG is to consist of no more than six (6) members as follows:
a) one person nominated by the New South Wales Harness Racing Club,
b) one person nominated by the clubs funded by HRNSW as TAB clubs,
c) one person nominated by the clubs funded by HRNSW as non-TAB clubs,
d) no more than 3 persons, each to be nominated by a different eligible industry body.
The Minister is to determine from time to time the bodies that are eligible industry bodies for the purposes of (d). The Minister is to consult with HRNSW on determinations made by the Minister under this subsection.
A person may be appointed as an alternate of a member, to act as that member during the absence or illness of, or during a vacancy in the office of, the member.
An alternate is to be appointed by the body that the member represents or (in the case of a member who is nominated by a body) appointed by the nominating body.
An alternate, while acting as a member, is taken to be a member and has and may exercise the functions of the member for whom he or she is the alternative.
If a body referred to in 2.1 changes its name or ceases to exist, the Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, direct that a reference in this section to the body is to be read as a reference to the body under its changed name or to a specified body that appears to the Minister to be the body’s successor.

ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP

A person is not eligible to be a member of HRICG if the person:
a) is a member of the Selection Panel, or
b) is a member of HRNSW, or
c) is currently, or during the previous 10 years has been, warned off, disqualified or named on the Unpaid Forfeit List under the rules, or
d) 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
e) is an undischarged bankrupt or is taking advantage of the laws in force for the time being relating to bankruptcy, or
f) is a mentally incapacitated person.
A person is not eligible to be appointed as a member of HRICG unless the person has been the subject of a probity check by HRNSW.

FUNCTIONS OF HRICG

HRICG has the function of consulting with and making recommendations to HRNSW on matters concerning harness racing in the State.
Recommendations made by HRICG to HRNSW are to be made in writing and tabled at the next meeting of HRNSW or may be presented in person at that meeting by the Chairperson of HRICG.

HRNSW is to respond to HRICG in writing in relation to any such recommendations within a reasonable time after they are received. If HRNSW does not support a recommendation made by HRICG, the response by HRNSW is to include its reasons for not supporting the recommendation.

HRNSW is to undertake formal consultation on a regular basis with HRICG and other harness racing industry stakeholders in connection with the initiation, development and implementation of policies for the promotion, strategic development and welfare of the harness racing industry.

HRNSW is to prepare an initial strategic plan for the harness racing industry within 12 months after the commencement of this section and is to prepare a further strategic plan for the harness racing industry at least every 3 years after the initial strategic plan is prepared. Each such strategic plan must be prepared in consultation with HRICG and other harness racing industry stakeholders.

The Chairperson of HRICG is to provide a report on the work and activities of HRICG for inclusion in the annual report of HRNSW.