Greyhound ban: Compensation payouts for dog owners, extension of ban as far out as 2020
EXCLUSIVE: The Premier is planning to lay out $30m to compensate greyhound owners in a spectacular gamble as he considers a possible extension of the racing ban until 2020.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- 19,000 DOGS WILL NEED REHOUSING, REPORT REVEALS
- IS BAIRD OPEN TO A FULL REVERSAL ON THE BAN?
- HOW NSW WENT WAY OVERBOARD WITH DOGS BAN
PAYMENTS of up to $1500 per dog will be made to greyhound owners under the compensation package that Premier Mike Baird is planning to announce in the next fortnight as part of his controversial racing industry ban.
On the table is a possible extension of the NSW government’s greyhound ban as far out as 2020, from the legislated 2017, but Mr Baird has not decided whether to go ahead with this or not.
People will get more for racing dogs than retired dogs under the $30 million compensation package discussed in the government for closing down the racing industry, senior government sources have confirmed.
Dog clubs are also expected to be compensated with provision of redundancy payments for staff.
News of the proposed compensation announcement comes as the Baird government continues to bleed on the issue, with divisions in the National Party ahead of the November 12 Orange by-election.
A loss in the seat, held by a 21.6 per cent margin, would pressure Deputy Premier Troy Grant to resign or see moves to have him rolled.
Meanwhile, National Party MP and Assistant Speaker Andrew Fraser yesterday emailed all Baird government ministers imploring them to overturn the ban before the by-election in the wake of The Daily Telegraph’s reports that secret polling had the Nationals’ primary vote at just 34 per cent.
In the letter to the Premier, Deputy Premier and ministers, Mr Fraser wrote: “As you are no doubt aware from recent media polls and articles, our government, if an election was to be held tomorrow, would be unelectable.
“We can compliment ourselves on a futuristic program of infrastructure across the state, increased delivery of services ... Australia’s lowest unemployment, a AAA credit rating and leading the nation in all economic criteria etc.
“But these are, unfortunately, not issues or criteria which will win us the coming by-elections or keep us in government.
“The greyhound legislation has completely reversed our political fortune. There is only one way to try and salvage our position.
“1. Do not proclaim the Greyhound Racing Prohibition Bill 2016.
“2. Adopt the NSW Greyhound Industry Alliance plan which will reduce the number of races, the number of dogs and the number of tracks.
“3. Ensure any person in the industry who wastes a dog inhumanely or live baits is subject to a very large fine, a jail term and a life ban from the industry.
“The Keniry report will surely confirm that up to 20,000 greyhounds will have to be destroyed post-July 2017 if the legislation is enacted. I feel sure Keniry will also advise that any readjustment package will far exceed the estimated cost of upgrading the remaining greyhound tracks to meet required standards.”
He said the ban needed to be overturned.
“This action would I believe receive full public support,” Mr Fraser wrote.
“There is no shame in taking this action, we can clearly indicate that as a government we have listened and acted accordingly. We have to resolve this issue as we are facing a political disaster.
‘‘The Orange by-election at this stage appears unwinnable and I believe that the greyhound legislation has been the catalyst which has put us in this position.
“I plead with all of you to adopt this plan and save our government.
“We cannot afford another Labor government which will once again return NSW to a parlous state.”
Mr Fraser’s grim missive follows revelations this week that secret Labor polling in Orange had the Nationals’ primary vote tumbling from 65 per cent at last year’s election to just 34 per cent.
It has also emerged that the head of the interim taskforce on the ban, John Keniry, has found that there are 19,000 greyhounds in NSW, not the 6000 the government first said, raising questions of a possible slaughter once the industry is shut down.
Mr Baird appeared to leave wriggle room for a possible overturning of the ban after the Orange by-election when he told reporters on Wednesday: “As I have gone through this journey I have always listened.” When asked directly to rule out a reversal of the greyhound racing ban, Mr Baird said he was only “ruling out the possibility that I’m going to make any decisions other than what I think are the right ones for the people of this state”.
CONSTANCE CRAVING CLARITY ON COMMENTS
Andrew Clennell
TRANSPORT Minister Andrew Constance was forced to deny in Parliament yesterday that he had made a private comment to 2GB broadcaster Alan Jones that if he became premier he would overturn the greyhound racing ban.
Having failed to deny the alleged comment for two days after being questioned by The Daily Telegraph about it, Mr Constance rose in Parliament to deny he said it.
Mr Jones has also denied Mr Constance had ever made the comment, telling The Daily Telegraph yesterday that while he had a “lot of conversations” with Mr Constance “we have never ever had a greyhound discussion”.
Mr Constance failed to deny the comment in a conversation with The Daily Telegraph in the state parliamentary bureau on Tuesday and it was reported on Wednesday.
It is understood Premier Mike Baird was furious about the suggestion Mr Constance was undermining him.
One MP said Mr Constance was severely told off by the Premier but a spokesman for Mr Baird denied it.
It is understood the Premier’s office spoke to Mr Constance.
Opposition Leader Luke Foley said yesterday: “Will you confirm that you promised media identities that you will ensure the state’s greyhound racing infrastructure is used for racing greyhounds, and as such will overturn the current Premier’s ban on greyhound racing?
Mr Constance replied: “What a stupid question from a stupid individual.
“Let me make this crystal clear, I’ve had no discussion with Alan Jones or anybody else about greyhounds.’’
Labor woos women with millions for menopause, pills and IUDs
Labor has promised women will pay less for healthcare from their very first period to menopause under a whopping $500m announcement ahead of the election.
Bitter twist toWatson’s coffee saga
The AOC and IOC recognise former modern pentathlete Alex Watson as an Olympian – but a self-appointed band of integrity guardians say he shouldn’t call himself a Games veteran.