How to apply for a review of a stewards’ racing decision

Making an application

An application for review must be made in the approved form. An application can be submitted via the portal on the Queensland Racing Appeals Panel’s (QRAP) website:  Applications for review | Queensland Racing Appeals Panel. An application can also be made via email or post to the QRAP by contacting the Registry or downloading an offline copy of the form.

An application for review must be lodged no more than 3 business days after the day you are given notice of the decision. There is no fee for making an application for review.

Late applications

The Chairperson of the QRAP may accept an application that is made after 3 business days after the person is given notice of the racing decision if the Chairperson is of the opinion that it would be unjust to refuse to accept that application.

A ‘Stay’ of the Penalty

An application for review does not ‘stay’ the racing decision. An applicant making an application for review may apply to the QRAP for a stay of the operation of the racing decision to which the application relates. The QRAP may stay the operation of the racing decision to secure the effectiveness of the review of the decision by the QRAP.

The QRAP may stay the operation of the racing decision on the conditions, and for the period, decided by the QRAP. However, the period of the stay must not extend past the time when the QRAP decides the application for review.

Appeal of QRAP decisions

A person who is not satisfied with a decision of the QRAP that includes taking disqualification action against the person can appeal to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (QCATA). However, an appeal can only be on a question of law related to the extent of the disqualification action.

A notice of appeal must be filed with QCATA within 28 days after the QRAP’s decision. An application for appeal does not ‘stay’ the QRAP’s decision. An applicant making an application for an appeal may apply to QCATA to stay the operation of the QRAP’s decision. However, a person cannot apply to QCATA for a stay of the operation of the QRAP’s decision if the QRAP decided the disqualification action was taken against the person because of a risk to:

• the welfare or health of an animal;
• the safety of any person; or
• the integrity of the Queensland racing industry.