New South Wales crossbench MPs are fighting to amend controversial legislation that would extend the tenure of Racing NSW’s chairman for a third time and grant him an unprecedented 14-year term.
The Minns government is trying to rush through legislation in the final parliamentary sitting fortnight of the year to grant Russell Balding another two-year term at the helm of the powerful racing regulator’s board before his position expires on 18 December.
The government needs the support of the opposition or the crossbench — including the Greens — to pass the laws.
NSW government seeks third extension of racing boss’s term as sector faces ‘challenging’ timesRead more
Balding’s tenure was extended under the Coalition government, with Labor’s support, from eight to 10 years in 2019 and then again to 12 years in 2021. Treasury this year recommended a limit of two three-year terms for directors of state-owned firms.
Influential crossbench MPs are planning an amendment that would grant Balding another two-year extension on the proviso that Racing NSW provides the government with a succession plan within the next six months.
Racing NSW’s board governance questioned
The Wagga Wagga MP, Joe McGirr, said he was working on the amendment with fellow independent Alex Greenwich.
McGirr said the government was in a “difficult position” but he was “very concerned” Racing NSW had no plans for replacing Balding despite having a seven-member board.
“It’s basically board governance 101 that you need to have a succession plan,” he said.
“The government should be requiring Racing NSW to have a succession plan within the next six months as a condition of [Balding’s] ongoing appointment.”
The Racing NSW board is tasked with overseeing one of the industry’s most powerful figures — its own chief executive, Peter V’Landys, who has been in the position for nearly 20 years.
Greenwich said his amendment would force the Racing NSW board to provide parliament with a report on succession planning and “renewal to improve gender diversity” and he would otherwise oppose the legislation.
“There are legitimate questions about the corporate governance of Racing NSW if they don’t have a proper succession plan in place,” he said.
The independent MP for Wollondilly, Judy Hannan, said she would not support the government’s legislation in its original form but she would consider any amendments.
Fellow crossbencher Helen Dalton said it would take a lot to convince her to support the amendment as she had “grave concerns” the government was treating parliament as a “rubber stamp”.
The Greens MP Abigail Boyd said her party was still planning to “fight tooth and nail” against extending Balding’s term.
“I would hope that the Liberals can be convinced to take a stronger stand for the principles of good board governance and accountability,” she said.
While the opposition is yet to reveal its position, their racing spokesperson, Kevin…
2023-11-21 02:36:36
Article from www.theguardian.com
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