Greyhound ban: Mike Baird and Brad Hazzard meet with Alan Jones

EXCLUSIVE: ON the eve of reversing his greyhound racing ban, Premier Mike Baird broke bread with one of his fiercest critics Alan Jones last night.

• BAIRD TO ANNOUNCE GREYHOUND BAN REVERSAL

ON the eve of reversing his greyhound racing ban, Premier Mike Baird broke bread with one of his fiercest critics Alan Jones.

The 2GB broadcaster has been scathing of Mr Baird’s handling of the greyhound issue, labelling him stubborn last week. But last night the Premier smiled broadly as he arrived at Jones’ luxury Circular Quay apartment with cabinet colleague Brad Hazzard.

Mike Baird and Brad Hazzard arrive for dinner with Alan Jones last night / Kristi Miller

The Family and Community Services Minister is thought to have brokered the meeting to garner Jones’ support for new greyhound reforms.

The Premier grinned and said he was “very, very well, thank you” when asked how he was but he and Mr Hazzard seemed taken aback when they realised they were being photographed.

Mr Baird will replace the racing ban that threatened to divide his Coalition government with a limit on the number of greyhounds bred, proper monitoring of dogs from birth to death and redesigned tracks with wider starting boxes to prevent injury.

Radio host Alan Jones has been a vocal critic of Baird

Premier Mike Baird arrives at Jones’ apartment complex

The announcement will include measures proposed by the Greyhound Alliance, including “centres of excellence” where most races will be held and the breeding caps to prevent dog slaughter.

Last night at the end of a Nationals party room meeting, Deputy Premier Troy Grant asked members if they wanted to give the greyhound industry “one more chance” and received agreement.

He said he would take that proposal to cabinet today.

Handlers with greyhounds at the Bathurst Greyhound Club yesterday. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Some in the industry, however, are expected to protest against the Greyhound Alliance deal that helped lead to the Premier’s backdown.

Vicki Prest, a trainer and owner from Young said she was worried the Greyhound Alliance might have traded the closure of country tracks for a deal with government..

Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association boss Brenton Scott said the outcome could be managed. “We’ll have a quality (assurance) process, so we are breeding less for racing,” he said.

Opposition Leader Luke Foley called Mr Baird’s about-face a “dishlicker debacle”.

Meanwhile, police last night charged a greyhound trainer with animal cruelty after allegedly finding images of live baiting at a Cabramatta home in August.

The 27 year old was refused bail to face court today.

CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM BUT TRUST IS GONE

Nick Hansen

THERE was cautious optimism at Bathurst Greyhound Club last night as industry workers awaited Premier Mike Baird’s expected announcement that he would axe his racing ban.

“I’ll only really believe it once it's done ... This has been heartbreaking,” said Orange trainer Casey O'Neil.

Brad Ashton has worked behind the bar for ten years at the Bathurst Greyhound Club. The community is optomisitc for the future now Baird is set to oveturn the racing ban. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Yesterday’s Bathurst meeting was the state’s first race since The Daily Telegraph revealed Mr Baird would reverse the ban.

Some owners said they would never forget the Coalition government’s attack on the industry, even if the ban was overturned.

“Dog people will never vote for The Nationals and never vote for (Baird),” said 52-year industry veteran Ida Whitton. “They've done too much ­damage.”

Dog owner Greg Board said the pain of the proposed ban was ending political allegiances. “All the Nats (supporters) are quitting,” he said. “I'm 65 years old and all my super is in the dogs. (Baird) has basically just said to people like me, you've got no super, you've got no nothing.”

The Maney/Erwich family have been greyhound trainers and breeders for generations. Pictured are Bec Erwich from Wimbledon with husband Matt, son Conner, 1 and father Michael Maney with the family greyhound Bango Bandit at the Bathurst Greyhound Club yesterday. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Bathurst track manager Jason Lyne said the whole industry faced a tense wait last night. “It will be a very sleepless night for a lot of us,” Mr Lyne said. “I thought (Baird) had backed himself into a corner and would be too stubborn. But we have hope now.”

Wimbledon trainer Lynn Maney said the industry had “done itself proud”. “People who don't have a lot will fight for what they have,” she said