Racing Australia Annual Report 2017

Racing Australia Annual Report 2017 | 13 Chief Executive Officer’s Report In 2016/17 Racing Australia’s focus has been on the consolidation of recent reforms, the implementation of further reforms and ensuring Thoroughbred racing is best equipped to continue its provision of world class racing to Australians. Foal Ownership Declarations, first introduced last year, continue to strengthen ownership transparency and traceability as well as further improve integrity and animal welfare across the Thoroughbred industry. Changes on 1st August 2016 to the Australian Rules of Racing required owners to provide the date of the retirement of racehorses along with their retirement destination. This data assists Racing Australia to better inform the broader community about the whereabouts of a horse post racing career and provide facts to refute false claims which emerge from time to time. Trainer and Owner reforms (introduced on 1 August 2017) are intended to provide greater certainty and clarity in the relationship between owners and trainers as well as between multiple owners of a horse. They aim to encourage on-time payments of fees and introduce a streamlined process to resolve issues where payments are not made in a timely fashion. In April the Federal Government’s announcement of changes to the Temporary Work Skilled Visa system caused concern across an industry that, historically, has struggled to attract and maintain the skilled staff needed to support Australian racing. Across all sectors of Thoroughbred racing, 457 visas have been used when trainers, breeders, racetracks and others have failed to attract locals to take on the jobs upon which racing relies. Racing Australia sought and received a commitment from Federal Immigration and Border Protection Minister, the Hon Peter Dutton MP, that if racing could demonstrate unintended adverse consequences of the proposed changes he would consider making changes. Working with all sectors, Racing Australia’s submission was submitted within weeks and, true to his word, Minister Dutton subsequently announced changes which will continue to allow Australian racing access to skilled workers from overseas when positions cannot be filled locally. I want to thank the Board of Racing Australia, especially Chair Frances Nelson QC, for all their support and encouragement since my appointment in January. Equally appreciated has been the assistance and patience of staff across Principal Racing Authorities and Racing Australia. Australian racing enjoys an enviable reputation globally. That renown has been achieved by the extraordinary dedication and professionalism of people working at stables, studs and tracks across the nation. We can never thank them enough. Barry O’Farrell Chief Executive Officer Barry O’Farrell Chief Executive Officer DESTINATION OF RETIRED RACEHORSES 2016/17 Equestrian 65% Breeding 19% Died Natural 5% Euthanised 7% Retired blank 1% Other 1% Abattoir 1% Livestock sale 1%