I have long held the view that the only way forward for both the Thoroughbred and Harness industry is to establish an Independent national controlling body that has full control all aspect of the respective codes. I am not suggesting a national body to control both, rather a national body for each.

The AFL is head and shoulders above any other sporting/recreation/leisure product in Australia, run by an Independent body. Clubs still have their own boards, management etc but all of the key decisions regarding the league/AFL brand etc are made by the AFL. Sometimes these decisions are made via a consultative process, others times they are not. This has seen the AFL move leaps and bounds ahead of any other football code in Australia and is now one of the most successful brands in the country.

Hong Kong has the most successful racing product anywhere in the world, it is controlled by one body who make all the decisions.

For Harness Racing to survive, a national independent controlling body must be established. There will be con's but they will be out-weighted by the pro's. There will be changes, many of them not popular but they will ultimately benefit participants. Any type of horse racing survives on the punters dollar and in its current format this industry has no chance of growing the punters investment in this sport to a long term sustainable level.

The biggest problem in racing is people with antique thoughts who can't accept change, personal agenda's and lack of collaboration from the state body's. This is rife in harness racing.

Like it or not it [Independent National Control] has to happen, question is will it?