Foley slams ‘elitist’ greyhound ban

THE federal Parliament will investigate Premier Mike Baird's “elitist” ban on greyhound racing, with concerns the ban is an attack on working class people and will lead to the slaughter of up to 10,000 dogs.

Opposition leader Luke Foley and MP Sam Dastyari at Wentworth Park with dog owners Tony Gannon and Les Horner.

THE federal Parliament will investigate Premier Mike Baird's “elitist” ban on greyhound racing, with concerns the ban is an attack on working class people and an “over-reaction” that will cost thousands of jobs and lead to the slaughter of up to 10,000 dogs.

NSW Labor senator Sam Dastyari will immediately move to begin a full Senate inquiry into the economic impact of the shutdown of the industry, calling Mr Baird's decision a “complete rort”.

Queensland and Victoria have also investigated claims of animal cruelty, live baiting and the killing of dogs but neither state has imposed a wholesale ban.

“Thousands of jobs are potentially at stake and, frankly, the NSW Government has not done their due diligence on this issue,” Senator Dastyari said.

“Why will the NSW industry be shut down but not the same occur in Queensland or Victoria where their Governments have taken decisive action to clean up the industry while protecting jobs.

“This whole thing reeks of inner city elitism, wowserism, where the pastimes and enjoyment of thousands of NSW residents is looked down upon by a bunch of snobs.”

MP Sam Dastyari: “This whole thing reeks of inner city elitism, wowserism, where the pastimes and enjoyment of thousands of NSW residents is looked down upon by a bunch of snobs.”

NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley said Labor will oppose the ban and Mr Baird will get his way only by making an alliance with the Greens and Animal Justice MPs in the NSW Upper House.

“I am against the ban,” he said.

“I am for throwing the book at bad apples in the industry, I would be happy to introduce jail terms for people engaging in live baiting or any animal cruelty.

“This is an alliance of North Shore Liberals and inner city greens against the ordinary people of this state.”

Mr Foley criticised the Premier for making the announcement on Facebook, without consulting the industry.

“This bloke is out of control, with his social media guru announcing government policy to chase Facebook likes, while the battlers are left to read about it without one iota of consultation.”

Independent Senate kingmaker Nick Xenophon said he was “sympathetic” to establishing an inquiry.

“As a general principle, if it is a matter of public importance I would want to look at the consequences of a decision such as this,” Senator Xenophon said.

The state government announced the ban last week, after receiving a horrific report into live baiting and animal cruelty in the industry.

Mr Baird said he had no choice but to ban the industry after reading the report.