❓ Mr Murray questions the Minister for Racing and Gaming's lack of support for jockeys' proposed amendments to the Racing Penalties (Appeals) Act. The Minister defends the current system, citing its speed and integrity, and awaits RWWA's final consultation before considering changes.
AnsweredQoN 246Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RACING AND WAGERING WESTERN AUSTRALIA —
RACING PENALTIES (APPEALS) ACT —PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
246. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I ask a supplementary question. Why does the minister and his
agency, Racing and Wagering Western Australia, not support the jockeys in
Western Australia in their quest to introduce a fairer and more modern appeals
process?
RACING PENALTIES (APPEALS) ACT —PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
246. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I ask a supplementary question. Why does the minister and his
agency, Racing and Wagering Western Australia, not support the jockeys in
Western Australia in their quest to introduce a fairer and more modern appeals
process?
AnswerView source ↗
I do not support it at this stage because I do not think it
will be a fairer and better appeals process. In fact, I am concerned about what
they are putting forward, because I see what happens in other states. Our
process is clean and quick. It does not allow things to drag on for months and
months so that jockeys can ride for months and months while awaiting appeal.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
It is a fair system, and there are people in the racing industry who tell me it
is very fair. There are people over east who wish —
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany, I call you to order now for the second time.
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
RWWA still had not finished its consultation. I will wait, member, and if RWWA
comes to me and says that there is consensus and everyone thinks it is a good
idea, obviously I will consider it. But I know that is not the case at this
stage, because I have had letters from Harness Racing Australia and from the WA
Country Racing Association, who were actually put out by the fact that they
were misrepresented to me. When RWWA has finished its process, I will look at
it with an open mind. But I will not make any decision—I have to come
to Parliament to make this decision, because it is legislation—that
would weaken the integrity of racing. One thing I can say about our stewards
system in Western Australia is that it is a good system. Integrity in sport
generally is a big issue that we are dealing with on a day in, day out basis.
So I have an open mind, and once RWWA has done that, I will be happy to meet
with them, as I have met with them before.
will be a fairer and better appeals process. In fact, I am concerned about what
they are putting forward, because I see what happens in other states. Our
process is clean and quick. It does not allow things to drag on for months and
months so that jockeys can ride for months and months while awaiting appeal.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
It is a fair system, and there are people in the racing industry who tell me it
is very fair. There are people over east who wish —
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany, I call you to order now for the second time.
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
RWWA still had not finished its consultation. I will wait, member, and if RWWA
comes to me and says that there is consensus and everyone thinks it is a good
idea, obviously I will consider it. But I know that is not the case at this
stage, because I have had letters from Harness Racing Australia and from the WA
Country Racing Association, who were actually put out by the fact that they
were misrepresented to me. When RWWA has finished its process, I will look at
it with an open mind. But I will not make any decision—I have to come
to Parliament to make this decision, because it is legislation—that
would weaken the integrity of racing. One thing I can say about our stewards
system in Western Australia is that it is a good system. Integrity in sport
generally is a big issue that we are dealing with on a day in, day out basis.
So I have an open mind, and once RWWA has done that, I will be happy to meet
with them, as I have met with them before.
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