Greyhound ban: Head of Mike Baird’s taskforce resigned, but was talked out of it

EXCLUSIVE: The head of Mike Baird's greyhounds taskforce John Keniry sent a letter of resignation to the Premier's office about a month ago, saying he did not support the racing ban.

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THE head of Mike Baird's greyhounds taskforce John Keniry sent a letter of resignation to the Premier's office about a month ago, saying he did not support the racing ban.

But Dr Keniry was talked out of going.

The revelation will put further pressure on Mr Baird and Deputy Premier Troy Grant to reverse the ban, with the taskforce’s report on a compensation package for the industry expected to be put to the Nationals Cabinet and party room next week.

John Keniry, the head of Mike Baird’s greyhound taskforce.

Quizzed about the resignation letter yesterday, Dr Keniry said: “Well that’s a letter from me to the Premier’s office. I’m not talking about that. I’m still there. It’s just another leak from a leaky government.”

Asked if the Premier’s office had talked him out of going, he said: “Well, they didn’t talk me out of going. I had a discussion with them.”

A spokeswoman for the Premier said yesterday Mr Baird was on leave and referred the matter to Mr Grant.

The Acting Premier would only say: “Dr Keniry continues his important work in consulting with the greyhound industry on a transition package. We look forward to receiving his report shortly.”

Deputy Premier Troy Grant.

Dr Keniry, the NSW Natural Resources Commissioner, was appointed co-ordinator-general of the Greyhounds Transition Taskforce by Mr Baird and Mr Grant on July 14.

He is a chemical engineer and a former member of the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council and a past president of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Last week the taskforce chief refused to be drawn on whether he supported the ban, when asked by The Daily Telegraph.

“I’m not buying into my personal views on this at all,” he said at the time.

The revelation will put further pressure on Mr Baird and Deputy Premier Troy Grant to reverse the controversial ban.

Asked if a compromise should occur in which greyhound racing ended in 2020, rather than 2017, he said: “That’s what people within the industry have been advocating; that is a matter for the industry with the government.”

On whether the government’s pledged $30 million compensation package was enough, he said: “No comment. The answer’s no.”

News of Dr Keniry’s resignation attempt comes as another Nationals MP has broken ranks on the greyhounds issue — with Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen presenting a trophy for the “Kevin Humphries Cup” at the Coonamble greyhound racing carnival on Friday night.

Mr Johnsen, who holds his seat by 2.3 per cent, made the appearance on behalf of Barwon MP Mr Humphries, for whom the race was named after he voted against the government on the racing ban. Mr Johnsen’s appearance came despite him having voted for the ban in Parliament.

The MP did not return calls yesterday but Kevin Gordon of Greyhound Alliance said Mr Johnsen attended because Mr Humphries had family commitments.

“He came out and said he supports greyhound racing,” Mr Gordon said. Opposition Leader Luke Foley, who also appeared at the Coonamble Carnival yesterday, accused Mr Johnsen of hypocrisy.

“He’s trying to hoodwink his constituents, pretending he’s a supporter of the greyhound industry when he’s voted in Parliament to outlaw it,” Mr Foley said.

Mr Grant yesterday declined to comment on Mr Johnsen’s appearance at the carnival.

Early next week, he is expected to take the Keniry report on compensation to his party room in what is set to be a robust discussion.