Supreme Court decision on licensing vets will hurt racing

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) says that today’s Supreme Court decision allowing Racing NSW to license veterinarians in thoroughbred racing will be to the detriment of the sport.

“We’re extremely disappointed that Justice Rothman has decided that current legislation gives Racing NSW the power to implement the proposed licensing scheme,” said Dr Ben Gardiner, President of the AVA.

“Unfortunately we fear that this licensing scheme will be very detrimental to racing. Our members have already told us and Racing NSW that they will not participate in racing with a licence creating confusion in a dual regulatory regime.

Justice Rothman has not yet provided a reason for his decision.

 “Vets are already very well regulated by the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board and a second overlapping scheme is completely unnecessary.

“The integrity of racing is extremely important to vets, and we want those proved to be doing the wrong thing out of the profession altogether, not just out of racing. Only the Veterinary Practitioners Board can do that.

“It makes no sense to have two different bodies trying to decide whether a vet has done the wrong thing or not.

“It’s just not practical and we worry about the chaos this decision will unleash, and the effect this may have on racing,” Dr Gardiner said.

“Today the AVA is announcing its intention to quickly establish a new fighting fund to continue the campaign against this kind of unnecessary double regulation on the veterinary profession.”

“When the reasons for the decision are released we will be considering our options and deciding on what further action needs to take place,” Dr Gardiner said.