ARB Board Meeting
Controls on the use of the whip
The Australian Racing Board's Integrity & Welfare subcommittee today conducted the final stage of a scheduled review of the controls on the use of the whip that were introduced in 2009.
The subcommittee considered submissions from:
- Australian Jockeys Association
- Australian Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Council
- National Stewards Group
- RSPCA Australia
- Les Smith – racehorse owner
- Animals Australia
The subcommittee's recommendation to the Australian Racing Board is that no alteration should be made to the current controls.
The Australian Racing Board has accepted this recommendation which brings to a close the Board's review. The Australian Racing Board will continue to monitor the controls governing the use of the whip in Australian racing.
New national schedule of betting deductions
The Board's Integrity and Welfare subcommittee today received a presentation from specialist wagering consultant Dominic Beirne on a new scheme for betting deductions he has developed on behalf of the Australian Racing Board and Australian Bookmakers Association (ABA). ABA representatives Mick Rolfe and Bill Murphy also addressed the meeting.
The current schedule was adopted effective 1st August 2000 on the recommendation of an ARB working party made up of representatives of State racing officials, bookmakers and Stewards. The ARB endorsed the current schedule in early 2000 and it was then adopted in each State and Territory by the body responsible for the rules of betting
A number of submissions have been made to the ARB in recent years proposing that the schedule could be improved. The Australian Bookmakers Association and the National Stewards group have worked with Dominic Beirne to develop a new scheme that addresses these issues.
The Board's subcommittee has recommended that after appropriate punter consultation and the development of an implementation plan the Australian Racing Board should make a decision on adoption of the new scheme.
The Board considered a proposal from the Australian Jockeys' Association concerning the creation of a national licence for jockeys.
It was agreed that while different considerations apply so far as Western Australia is concerned (in particular the limited number of visiting interstate rides it receives), the eastern seaboard jurisdictions would work to streamline licensing processes for jockeys riding interstate and to reduce associated application fees to a level matching the cost of administrative processing. A working party chaired by RNSW's General Manager Regulatory, Mr Keith Bulloch, has been appointed to progress this.
The Australian Racing Board agreed today to:
- conduct an urgent review of the thoroughbred racing industry's current and future R & D needs;
- assess the effectiveness of the current RIRDC horse program and other industry supported research activities;
- identify the preferred R & D service delivery model(s) and associated funding requirements;
- determine the most appropriate industry funding arrangements; and
- prepare a submission to the Productivity Commission making a strong case for continuing Federal funding support and attend the Commission's public hearings
For further enquiries:
Mr Andrew Harding
Chief Executive
Office: 02 9551 7700
Mobile: 0417 043 233
[18/03/2010]
