Greyhound ban: Anyone caught organising races will face up to one year in jail or fines

ANYONE caught organising a greyhound race after the Baird government’s ban comes into effect next July will face up to a year in jail or an $11,000 fine.

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ANYONE caught organising a greyhound race after the Baird government’s ban comes into effect next July will face up to a year in jail or an $11,000 fine.

Premier Mike Baird is expected to put his controversial laws to ban greyhound racing in NSW before parliament this week but is still weighing whether to wait until the next sitting on August 23.

If it is this week, the laws will go before the National party room tonight before a joint party meeting tomorrow.

About three National MPs are expected to abstain from the vote, with speculation one or two may cross the floor, but the government will still have the numbers for the ban to pass.

National MP Katrina Hodgkinson yesterday said she was “considering very strongly” crossing the floor.

The government has the numbers to pass the ban with the support of the Animal Welfare Party’s Mark Pearson and Greens MPs / Picture: Nathan Edwards

“I have never had to do it before in all my time in parliament,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“I feel very strongly on this issue. I know a lot of people who are going to be impacted by (the ban) and it just feels like the wrong thing.”

Barwon MP Kevin Humphries, one of the most vocal critics of the ban, said “no comment” yesterday when asked if he would cross the floor.

It is understood that last week he told the party room he would not cross the floor.

Coffs Harbour National MP Andrew Fraser has not ruled out crossing the floor, saying: “At this stage, I’m reserving all my judgments on it. I’m waiting to see (the bill).”

Despite the added opposition of crossbenchers the Shooters and Fishers and Christian Democrats in the upper house, the government has the numbers to pass the ban with the support of the Animal Welfare Party’s Mark Pearson and Greens MPs.

Christian Democrat MP Fred Nile said he would move for a parliamentary inquiry to examine the issue before any ban was put in place.

Premier Mike Baird is expected to put his controversial laws to ban greyhound racing in NSW before parliament this week but is still weighing whether to wait until the next sitting on August 23.

Mr Nile said he had put this idea to the Premier already and it had been rejected. He warned the ban going ahead could mean he would think twice about supporting the government in future.

“I’m very upset at how it’s operating, it’s taking advantage of us,” Mr Nile said.

“He’s going to have to convince us in future when he needs our vote as to whether it’s justified. Why’s the Premier hell bent on doing this? Is he under pressure from the horse racing industry?”

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys dismissed this yesterday, saying Mr Nile had made a “a completely ill-informed conclusion” and Racing NSW had never made a submission on the matter.

Mr Baird’s spokesman also denied the claim, saying the ban was a direct result of cruelty in the greyhound industry.