First Level Appeals - What's New?

From 1 July 2003, First Level Appeal Committees will determine appeals from any decision of a steward of Queensland Racing to impose:

• A suspension for a period of no more than 3 months; or
• A penalty of not less than $100 but not more than $2,000.

Any right of appeal to a first level appeal committee must be exhausted before an appeal to the Racing Appeals Tribunal can be commenced.

If you have received a suspension for a period greater than 3 months and/or a penalty greater than $2000, your right of appeal is directly to the Racing Appeals Tribunal - for more information see the Tribunal's website: www.racingappealstribunal.qld.gov.au.

Commencing a First Level Appeal

Any person wishing to appeal to a first level appeal committee must lodge a Notice of Appeal within 2 working days of the date on which the steward's decision was made.

A fee of $400.00 must accompany the notice of appeal, which is refundable in specified circumstances.

Fast appeal process

First level appeals are to be determined within 2 weeks of the date on which the Notice of Appeal is lodged. If a decision is not handed down within 2 weeks, the first level appeal fee will be refunded and you may pursue any right of appeal to the Racing Appeals Tribunal.

How First Level Appeal Committees are constituted

All first level appeal committees will consist of 3 persons:

• A lawyer with at least 5 years standing;
• A person who possesses a thorough knowledge of the rules of racing; and
• A person who is either a lawyer of at least 5 years standing or a person who possesses a thorough knowledge of the rules of racing.

Members of first level appeal committees are not permitted to preside over matters in which they have a conflict of interest.

New place of lodgement of first level appeal

All first level appeals are to be lodged with:

The First Level Appeal Secretary
PO Box 63, Sandgate Qld 4017
Facsimile: (07) 3269 9043
Email: appealsecretary@queenslandracing.com.au

Download the First Level Appeals Form here.

For further information, please contact Debbie Toohey on (07) 3869 9707 or Shara Murray on (07) 3869 9712.