HRA Executive To Consider Report Recommendations

14 October 2011
Logo

The Harness Racing Australia (HRA) Annual General Meeting on Monday provided an opportunity for the HRA Members to discuss the contents of both the Australian Breeding Panel Report, released in July, and a Supplementary Report which was finalised following public consultation.

With the full Panel in attendance, Members were able to gain a better understanding of the recommendations in detail and pose questions on various aspects of both reports.
In congratulating the Panel, HRA Chairman Geoff Want said Members were greatly appreciative of the work the Panel had undertaken and thankful for the issues tabled.
"This is an important and long overdue body of work that has highlighted the challenges facing the breeding industry and provided solutions which can now be fully considered,” he said. "We will not get industry consensus on all the recommendations and there will be disagreement over some of the funding proposals, but this does not mean we should ignore most of the contents".
The report has sparked considerable discussion in both Australia and New Zealand, the overwhelming majority of it positive. Most opposition has been in relation to a revised fee structure, with a misguided campaign claiming one proposal would breach various Trade Agreements or Competition laws. 
"We have strong legal advice that we can implement all the proposals if that is the ultimate view of HRA's Members, despite the somewhat hysterical rantings of a small group of respondents," Want said.
"It is not our desire however to get into a public debate or a legal stoush, but we will engage in discussions with any responsible industry groups which may feel aggrieved by any proposed action.
“The major focus now has to be on addressing the serious issues within the breeding industry. 
“HRA is mindful of the importance imported horses play in our breeding and racing industry, and have no desire to take action which would adversely affect commercial returns in these areas. We also look forward to building on recent positive discussions with Harness Racing New Zealand in relation to the recommendations".
The HRA Executive will consider the Panel's recommendations in the coming months.
The Supplementary Report, which has amended some of the original recommendations, is available by clicking on this link.
For further information please contact Andrew Kelly on 03 9227 3000.

 

Related News

29 March 2024
Gibson family honoured in more ways than one at Bathurst Carnival
SINCE the inception of the Bathurst Gold Crown in 1987, the Gibson family and their Success Stud have positively contributed to shaping the hugely-successful juvenile carnival. Originally based in Queensland before relocating to the idyllic Young region, the late John Gibson initially operated Success...
29 March 2024
Group 1 mares add star power to Riverina Championships
Four Group 1 winning mares - including two currently considered to be among the nation’s best - will clash in an intriguing battle at the Riverina Championships finals program at Wagga on Sunday. The meeting features two $100,000 finals for four and five year-old pacers - one each for the boys...
29 March 2024
Ford looking for Gold on Good Friday
The combined harness and greyhound meeting on Good Friday night in Hobart is fast becoming a Tassie racing tradition, and it’s back again with eight greyhound races and six harness events making up this year’s 14-race program. Driver Dylan Ford will be out to continue his excellent start...
28 March 2024
New HRV chair Adam Kilgour on challenges, opportunities
Newly appointed Harness Racing Victoria chair Adam Kilgour says his passion for a challenge and the people in racing drives his desire to strengthen the industry. Kilgour was yesterday announced to replace Dale Monteith as the head of the board, on which he has served since 2018, and said he was eager...
28 March 2024
La sun of a gun emerges as Blackbook zeros in on breeding line
La Machane won 20 of her 61 starts and more than $330,000 for connections in Ross and Greg Sugars' care and the mare's making just as big an impression in the breeding barn. Having given us La Puddie ($137,179) and La Captain ($182,020), the Bettors Delight mare has another nice type in Benbullan, who...
Click for more