Whilst in principle reforms have been agreed in many areas, not all relevant information had been collected and made available(including the RNSW Strategic Plan and the Tax Review commissioned by the Clubs) to allow a full package of informed recommendations to be agreed by the Clubs and put to the Minister by mid December 2009.
All groups involved in the MBT process agreed that enormous progress has been achieved since it was formed. This included a historic joint meeting of the Boards of Sydney Turf Club and Australian Jockey Club at Canterbury Racecourse this week.The Clubs and RNSW agree it is essential to finalise the recommendations on a fully informed basis given the critical importance of these matters to the future of the industry in Sydney. Notwithstanding the delay in finalising the Report to the Minister, the Clubs have agreed to pursue reforms in the following areas:
- enhance governance
- deliver cost and revenue efficiencies and benchmark best business practices
- improve race programming and racing events
The MBT recommended and NSW Racing Minister Kevin Greene has agreed to extend the date for finalisation of the MBT Report to end January 2010 in the interests of ensuring the best options for Sydney Racing are achieved with strong Club support.
*Membership of the MBT comprises Alan Brown (RNSW, chair), Ron Finemore (AJC), Bill Picken (STC), Alan Bell (RNSW), Michael Crismale (STC), John Cornish (AJC), Peter V’Landys (RNSW), Darren Pearce (AJC), Michael Kenny (STC) and a representative from the Minister’s Department.
Alan Brown Bill Picken Ron Finemore AO
RNSW Chairman STC Chairman AJC Chairman
For further enquiries please contact Peter V’Landys (CEO RNSW, 02 9551 7556), Michael Kenny (CEO STC, 02 9930 4044) or Darren Pearce (CEO AJC, 02 9663 8514)
