Victorian News

New Appeals & Disciplinary Process

01 March 2010

Harness racing participants need to be aware of a new racing appeals and disciplinary structure that comes into operation across the three racing codes from Monday.

Coinciding with the commencement of amendments to the Racing Act (1958) Vic, the new structure involves Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) replicating the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board model used by Racing Victoria Limited (RVL).
Further to this the Racing Appeals Tribunal (RAT) has been abolished with its appeal jurisdiction being transferred to the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
The domestic appeal hearing arrangements within the harness industry have now been replaced by the establishment of a new Harness Racing Victoria Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board (HRV RAD Board).
As in the case of the RVL RAD Board, the new HRV RAD Board will conduct hearings in respect to serious offences and hear appeals against penalties imposed by stewards in respect to less serious offences.
The supporting HRV Victorian Local Rule changes have been previously published in the Harness Racer and can be viewed at www.harness.org.au/vic.cfm
As required by the new State legislation, appeals to the RAD Boards of any of the three racing codes must be lodged with the newly appointed RAD Boards Registrar, Georgie Curtis.
The notice form for lodging appeals is available via the HRV website at the Victorian Industry pages.
Stewards will also be able to provide the appeal notice forms at their inquiries. Completed appeal forms must be either emailed to radboard@racingvictoria.net.au or faxed to 03 9258 4848.
VCAT now has appeal jurisdiction across the three code RAD Boards. Information about how VCAT functions and the process for lodging appeals can be accessed via the VCAT website www.vcat.vic.gov.au
An application for a review of a HRV RAD Board decision must be lodged within 28 days. A non-refundable fee of approximately $300 is required for all VCAT appeals.
The contact for more information about VCAT is Jim Nelms, Principal Registrar, who can be reached by email jim.nelms@justice.vic.gov.au or telephone 9628 9820.