Greyhound ban: Baird admits 1000 jobs to go, but says compo package will be ‘generous’
MIKE Baird admits his greyhound ban will lead to the loss of at least 1000 fulltime jobs but says the compensation package will be “generous and flexible”.
NSW
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PREMIER Mike Baird admits his greyhound ban will lead to the loss of at least 1000 fulltime jobs but says the state government’s compensation package will be “generous and flexible”.
Mr Baird and Deputy Premier Troy Grant were grilled about the unpopular dishlicker wipe-out during Parliament’s Budget Estimates yesterday, with Mr Baird unable to answer questions about exactly how many people or businesses will be affected by the ban.
But he admitted it would lead to the direct loss of at least 1000 fulltime jobs and more part-time roles, along with the loss of a pastime for punters and volunteer industry participants.
Resources Commissioner John Keniry is leading a “transition taskforce” working out the exact jobs figures — and a compensation package for the industry and ex-racing dogs.
Department of Premier and Cabinet Secretary Blair Comley said there were 4400 part-time jobs in the NSW greyhound industry.
Mr Baird denied his government delayed the release of the McHugh report and the announcement of the greyhound ban until after the federal election, despite the fact it came just five days after the national poll.
“We want to be generous and flexible and that’s why John is spending a lot of time meeting as many people as possible to outline a package,” he said, reiterating the government will hand over at least $30 million in the first year of the ban.
However, Labor MP Peter Primrose accused Mr Baird of arrogance because of his uncertainty on the figures, especially the continuing lack of uncertainty around the level of compensation.
“This was an extraordinarily arrogant performance by Mr Baird,” he said.
“He has shut down an industry. He is costing people livelihoods but won’t say what they can expect in the way of compensation.”
The Greyhound Racing Industry Alliance has launched a Supreme Court challenge to try to strike out the report that led to the ban, written by former High Court judge Michael McHugh.
It leaves open the question of what happens to the Baird greyhound ban if the court rules against the report.
“We would have to deal with that if it came to be,” Mr Baird said.
“There’s an opportunity for a legal challenge, but our expectation is the position we have taken will stand.”
There has already been a preliminary hearing in the Supreme Court case and it is expected to be heard again later this month.
Mr Baird revealed his initial shock at first receiving the McHugh report, which outlined claims up to 68,500 greyhounds died over 12 years because they weren’t fast enough.
“I could not quite believe what I was reading and I would suggest that nor could you. Every single group of puppies that are born — 50 to 70 per cent of them are slaughtered because they are not fast enough,” he said.
“I also saw systemic live baiting. That means piglets, rabbits, possums dangled to ensure greyhounds had the opportunity to compete and race to the highest level.”
He said Sydney’s Wentworth Park would remain in public hands and would not be “available for housing’’.
Mr Baird was also grilled about this week’s ICAC report into political donations, in which six former MPs and current MP Mike Gallacher were found to have had the intention to “evade the law”.
Two former Liberal MPs, Chris Hartcher and Andrew Cornwell, have been recommended for charges.
Mr Baird referred to all the Liberal MPs caught up in the scandal as “friends” and said they’d paid a heavy price.
‘ANIMAL CRUELTY’ BACKED BY BAIRD
Kelly Burke
HE NSW government is sanctioning the use of live greyhounds in scientific research, while standing by its decision to ban the greyhound racing industry on the grounds of cruelty.
According to a report by the Animal Research Review Panel, a body overseen by the NSW government, almost 4000 dogs were approved for scientific research and experimentation last year. More than 300 of those dogs underwent procedures while conscious and involved some level of pain, distress and possible euthanasia after.
The apparent hypocrisy was brought to the government’s attention during a budget estimates hearing earlier this week, when Medical Research Minister Pru Goward was unable to say why the issue of greyhounds and their treatment under medical research had never been brought to her attention.
This was despite the Baird-commissioned inquiry into the greyhound industry finding that dogs considered “excess” to industry requirements were being used for scientific research in NSW.
Last month Ms Goward announced $44.5 million for the Medical Research Support Program to support 15 independent medical research institutes. But when asked by The Daily Telegraph if the government had sought to check if any of those institutes were testing on live greyhounds, the questions were deflected to Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair.
He declined to say whether his department had been ordered to investigate the issue further, saying only: “The use of animals, including greyhounds, for research is regulated by the Animal Research Act 1985, which sets out stringent requirements designed to protect the welfare of animals.”
The Animal Research Review Panel is a government agency reporting directly to the Primary Industries Minister and monitors the conduct of animal research and the supply of animals used in such research.
The panel’s annual report found that 3996 dogs were used for research in 2014-15. While most fell within the first five categories of research, ranging from observation to major surgery with recovery, 303 dogs fell into a sixth category where the animals remain conscious for part or all of the procedure.
Labor spokeswoman for medical research Tania Mihailuk said banning greyhound racing under the guise of preventing animal cruelty while allowing experimentation reeked of hypocrisy.
LEADER JUSTIFIES REBELS’ REMOVAL
Miles Godfrey
NATIONALS Leader and NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant has been forced to defend the “sacking” of two rebel National MPs who voted against the Baird government’s greyhound ban and subsequently lost their roles as parliamentary secretaries.
Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis resigned from his role as parliamentary secretary for Northern NSW, as is National Party convention when a member votes against the government.
But asked why parliamentary secretary for southern NSW Katrina Hodgkinson was “sacked”, Mr Grant replied: “Because she crossed the floor as a member of the executive on a bill presented to the parliament of NSW. I reinforce and reaffirm my statement that I’m proud of every member of the NSW National Parliamentary Party and NSW Nationals more generally.’’
Mr Grant accepted the ban was unpopular: “As tough a decision, as unpopular a decision as that has been, the government’s reasoning has been well explained. And it will either be accepted or not accepted by the community. The Supreme Court action will commence and we’ll consider our position after the outcomes of any court matter that may or may not relate to government policies.”
Adam Marshall has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Northern NSW and Renewable Energy while Bronnie Taylor is taking over the role for Southern NSW and Regional Communications
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