Big industry players oppose Balding’s term extension
There is growing opposition to Racing NSW’s push to extend the term of its chairman Russell Balding for a further two years with industry heavyweight John Messara, Hall Of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse and breeder Laurie Macri among those to publicly voice their concerns.
Arrowfield Stud chairman Messara, a former Racing Australia and Racing NSW chairman, yesterday spoke out against the state Labor government’s plan to introduce legislation allowing Balding to stay on the board for 14 straight years.
And late yesterday, in a stunning blow delivered from within the training ranks, Waterhouse echoed Messara’s opposition to the proposal.
The Minns government via Racing Minister David Harris on Monday confirmed it would introduce legislation to keep Balding at the helm. He joined the Racing NSW board in 2011 and he has been chairman since 2016.
If the legislation is passed through Parliament, it will be the third time that Balding has gained an extension and it would push his tenure well beyond the maximum ten-year tenure for state statutory authorities, the Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday.
The now ousted Coalition government, under Racing Minister Kevin Anderson, approved the last extension of the chairman’s term in 2021 by a further two years.
Deputy Racing NSW chair Saranne Cook’s four-year term, like Balding’s, is due to end on December 18 and requires an extension.
Those opposed to Balding remaining at the helm of Racing NSW, a body in which its chief executive Peter V’landys will soon bring up 20 years in the top job, said the extension is against sound corporate governance.
V’landys is also the chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, the overarching body for the National Rugby League competition.
Messara told the SMH of the proposed new legislation: “This is in breach of the statutory term.
“I implore the premier to override the decision, which is contrary to any norms of good governance. The existing board needs to be refreshed, as do all boards.”
Harvey Norman chief executive Katie Page, who along with husband Gerry Harvey owns thoroughbred auction house Magic Millions, has also publicly rebuked the NSW government’s legislative plan for Balding.
Waterhouse, in a statement provided to the Australian Financial Review, blasted her own representative body for supporting Balding’s reappointment.
“I was not consulted by the NSW Trainers Association when it sent a letter supporting Mr Balding’s chairmanship term extension and have not spoken to anyone who was consulted,” Waterhouse said in the AFR.
”I would not have supported it and agree with John Messara and Katie Page that it would reflect bad governance.
“I also think that it is very important that any refresh of the Racing NSW board selects directors that have good experience and knowledge of racing.”
Those in favour of the incumbent remaining at Racing NSW said the peak body has numerous challenges, including declining wagering revenue and equine welfare, but former Australian Turf Club chairman Macri said of Balding’s 12 years in the position: “[It is] almost assumed Russell is the only person with any good ideas in racing. I’d suggest there are probably other really good ideas that aren’t being heard.”
Speaking to the SMH, Macri added: “I say this without any fear of contradiction; Peter V’landys is the most capable person to navigate NSW through any changes in the wagering landscape.”
A powerful group of owners, trainers, jockeys, the Australian Turf Club and the Provincial Clubs Association have all backed the push for Balding to remain at Racing NSW.
“Racing is faced with some immediate challenges with the decline in TAB income and Group 1 racing status battles with Victoria and I think we need the experience and expertise of Russell in those and other matters,” current ATC chairman Peter McGauran, a former federal Coalition government minister, said.
Minister Harris, in a media release on Monday, said: “My strong expectation with this appointment is there is increased transparency around welfare and rehoming, greater support for provincial races and a continued commitment to supporting a responsible, sustainable, and competitive racing industry.”
V’landys and Racing NSW has been lauded by many for the governing body’s innovations – particularly the $20 million The Everest (1200m) and a host of other rich pop-up races – but Messara questioned the long-term viability of many of the races run for ballooning prize-money.
“As an aside, I note that the challenges, cited by the Minister in his press release, in relation to welfare, training and infrastructure are all enduring matters that should have already been addressed by the current board and will need to be addressed also by subsequent boards,” Messara said.
“I also have concerns, from an industry sustainability viewpoint, about how Racing NSW is allocating funds, with prize-money being allocated to wasteful gimmick races, such as a $2 million race restricted to five-year-old horses and the $3 million Big Dance. Such funds should instead be allocated to grass roots country and provincial prize-money.
“While I appreciate that we need suitable aspirational races, the bizarre array of strange new races undermines the NSW and Australian Racing Pattern and the whole economic basis upon which our multi-billion dollar industry is run.”
Under Public Service Commission appointment standards, by which Racing NSW is government, it notes members’ tenures should not exceed ten years – unless change would be contrary to the public interest.
Balding has been on the Racing NSW board since 2011 and he was appointed as deputy chairman under Messara in 2015.
Messara retired as chairman of Racing NSW in 2016, just one year into a three-year term, which led to Balding’s ascension to the coveted position.