Greyhound racing ban: Baird backs ‘right thing’ in closing racing
PREMIER Mike Baird says he knew he’d cop a backlash over his ban on greyhound racing. But he maintains it’s not just a political ploy to win the next election — he says he’s doing what’s needed. HAVE YOUR SAY
NSW
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MIKE Baird has admitted there will be a political backlash to his greyhound ban but had maintained he is not making decisions to try and win the next election.
The controversial greyhound ban passed Parliament following a marathon debate that went through the night, with the industry due to be shut down from July 2017.
Mr Baird insisted it was the right decision, despite the anticipated backlash from voters.
“The easy thing to do — and that’s right out of the political playbook — is to kick it down the road and say this is all too hard,” he added.
“I think people across this state and indeed across this country, are sick of that sort of politics.
“There are many occasions I’m sure that I am wrong — I’m not going to pretend I’m perfect, pretend we get everything right.
“What I will tell you is that every single decision, every single member of my Cabinet, spends a lot of time trying to get it right.”
Mr Baird said “of course” there would be a political backlash to the ban.
“My hope is that over time, what the people of this state see is we’re not trying to win re-election. What we’re trying to do is to do what is right — to set up the state for the long term and as part of that there are difficult decisions to be made,” he added.
The premier faced a serious revolt from within his own party as part of the greyhound ban debate.
Three Nationals MPs crossing the floor and two MPs vowing to abstain in the vote on his greyhound industry ban legislation.
Debate continued through the night as Labor MPs voiced their opposition to the government’s plan to shut down the industry by next July.
Earlier, Mr Baird said “the systemic cruelty” of the industry was “beyond belief” as he sought to defend his decision to shut it down.
Those involved in the greyhound industry said it will take time for the repercussions to sink in.
“I can’t believe a business as big as it is can be just shut off,” greyhound breeder and trainer Ashley Lamb told ABC radio.
Gunnedah Greyhound Racing Club president Geoff Rose said compensation packages should be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
He criticised the state government for not presenting a compensation package before passing the bill.
“We were never given a chance to defend ourselves, they made a judgement on a report that is flawed,” he told ABC radio this morning.
Last night Nationals MP Katrina Hodgkinson told Parliament she opposed the Bill, which had the government voting with the Greens “against our people”.
She said the Nationals played a political role to be the “counterbalance” to “excessive Greens politics” and claimed the greyhound ban will set a precedent that could lead to the shutdown of other industries.
“This legislation will undoubtedly be used as a precedent to abolish other existing industries.
“It may be harness racing or the thoroughbred industry next on the hit list. Perhaps it will be dairy farming or pig farming or egg production or dog breeding.”
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