Independent inquiry recommends South Australian greyhound industry gets two years to ‘modernise’

The industry has been given two years to live up to community expectations before the Premier decides its future.

South Australia’s greyhound racing industry will be shut down if it does not significantly improve within two years, an independent inquiry has recommended.

The findings of the inquiry, released publicly on Thursday, revealed serious problems with the industry and its treatment of greyhounds.

It said Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA) was not adequately enforcing its own animal welfare policy and identified a gap between the conditions in which a large number of greyhounds are being kept and the expectations of the community.

The inquiry, conducted by former Victorian Police Commissioner Graham Ashton, delivered 86 recommendations to ensure the industry “modernises its practices in line with community expectations”.

The state government has released the report publicly and accepted all recommendations, including an RSPCA submission that stated: “Unless the significant, entrenched animal welfare problems inherent to the greyhound racing industry can be recognised and effectively resolved, this industry should not be supported”.

Another recommendation was that the government establish an independent inspector for greyhound racing reform.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said, after two years, advice will be provided to the government as to whether the industry should continue.

“This government wants to see the greyhound racing industry survive in South Australia – but only if it cleans up its act,” he said.

Premier Peter Malinauskas. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

Former Victorian Police Commissioner Graham Ashton. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Roy VanDerVegt

The Greyhound Industry Reform Inspector (GIRI) will report to Racing Minister Katrine Hildyard regularly with updates on the state of the industry.

Ms Hildyard said the report makes clear what the industry must do if it is to “maintain its social licence to operate”.

“Greyhound Racing SA must now absolutely focus its efforts on the significant reform that Mr Ashton has articulated, and is required to immediately begin working to implement the report’s recommendations,” she said.

Mr Ashton’s reforms address governance as well as practical considerations such as the amount of exercise time greyhounds are given and measures to improve their psychological wellbeing. They cover the period that a dog spends in competitive racing and the time spent awaiting adoption.

“Now is an important time for change in the South Australian greyhound racing industry,” he said.

“It is imperative for the future of the sport that these changes are achieved.”

The inquiry was launched earlier this year after footage emerged of a man kicking and punching a greyhound.

Greens MLC Tammy Franks said “this is vindication for the whistleblowers and animal lovers of South Australia”.

“We’ve known for a long time the industry assurances were hollow and that greyhounds were suffering,” she said.

“We welcome an independent oversight of this cruel industry.”

In a statement, GRSA welcomed the release of the report and agreed with its recommendations.

“As the governing body for greyhound racing in South Australia, we have worked hard to engage with the independent inquiry at every stage,” the statement said.

“On initial review, we agree in principle with the recommendations and we have established a working party within GRSA to review the report in detail and to identify opportunities for immediate reform.”