WALLY GLEESON, the high profile Member who has a problem with the Brisbane Racing Club Board, was more than interested in the outcome of the court battle between Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club.
He comments:
The The Thoroughbred Report article relating to the the court case between RNSW and the ATC demonstrates that in NSW the regulator RNSW has the power to investigate its licenced clubs (in this case the ATC).
The Qld Racing Act 2002 mirrors the NSW Racing Act, and it is clearly spelt out in section 82 (2) b&c of the Qld Act. Racing Qld CAN investigate its licenced clubs particularly the BRC.
It appears to say that the regulator (RNSW) can appoint an administrator but cannot replace the Board structure.
We never want to lose the running of race clubs to the government bodies. I have witnessed that in Italy and it is not ideal. The election of committed elected financial members of the Club structure is by far a much better scenario.
Length of tenure of those elected to Club Boards needs to be determined as not being beyond 10 years. They are not jobs for life any longer in my opinion. This was one of my recommendations to the recently completed Racing Review.
