Motorsport Australia Welcomes Proposed Repeal of Outdated New South Wales Motorsport Legislation

Motorsport Australia has formally welcomed the New South Wales Government’s announcement regarding legislation to repeal the Motor Vehicle Sports (Public Safety) Act 1985.

The legislative reform aims to eliminate an outdated track licensing framework and align New South Wales with other Australian jurisdictions under a modern, nationally consistent regulatory model.

The 1985 Act established state-specific licensing requirements for motor racing venues, which have since been superseded by contemporary safety protocols, risk management frameworks, national sanctioning bodies, and comprehensive sports insurance structures. Subject to parliamentary passage, the new regulatory arrangements are scheduled to commence in April 2027.

The proposed repeal reinforces that the sanctioning and regulation of motorsport should remain under the authority of nationally recognised governing bodies accountable for maintaining safety, integrity, and risk governance across all levels of the sport. Eliminating state-level regulatory duplication protects participants, officials, and venue operators while preventing fragmented safety oversight.

Commenting on the benefits of transitioning to a modern national model, Motorsport Australia CEO, Josh Blanksby, said: “This is a welcome and sensible modernisation of the regulatory framework governing motorsport in New South Wales.”

“Motorsport Australia supports a nationally consistent approach that maintains strong standards of safety, sanctioning, insurance and accountability, while reducing unnecessary regulatory duplication.

“We look forward to working closely with the NSW Government, clubs, venues and the broader motorsport community to support a smooth transition and ensure participants, officials and spectators continue to have confidence in the arrangements governing our sport.

“The Australian Motorsport Council has undertaken considerable work over a sustained period to demonstrate why this legislation was no longer fit for purpose and to advocate for a more contemporary approach.

“Its persistence, industry knowledge and constructive engagement with the NSW Government have been instrumental in bringing the reform to this point.

“This outcome is a strong example of what can be achieved when the motorsport sector works collaboratively and presents government with a clear, evidence-based case for change,” Blanksby said.

Over the coming months, Motorsport Australia will collaborate with the New South Wales Government and the Australian Motorsport Council to execute transition arrangements and contribute to the broader New South Wales Motorsport Strategy.

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