NSW greyhound ban: Barnaby Joyce told Troy Grant the idea was a dog

DEPUTY Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has told of a lengthy talk he had with Deputy Premier Troy Grant where he argued banning greyhounds was a bad idea .

• NATIONALS IN REVOLT AS MINISTERS PRESSURE BAIRD
• 19,000 DOGS NEED REHOUSING, REPORT REVEALS
• BAIRD COULD BE OPEN TO DOGS BAN REVERSAL

DEPUTY Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has told of a lengthy talk he had with Deputy Premier Troy Grant where he argued banning greyhounds was a bad idea.

The Nationals’ federal leader yesterday declared the party’s national policy was to support greyhound racing.

“I actually contacted the Deputy Premier and had a long conversation with him. I was outside a noodle cafe in Tamworth,’’ Mr Joyce said.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has declared the National’s federal policy was to support greyhound racing. Picture: Kym Smith

“We spoke for probably around about 30 to 40 minutes. We had a long discussion in regards to the dog issue. People know quite clearly I have a different view.

“I hope that the issue is resolved in such a way as it deals with some of the concerns that are out there.”

Mr Joyce made it clear the federal arm of the party did not hold the same view as their NSW colleagues.

“I have said quite clearly as a federal leader ... we have a range of states with the greyhound industry in it … we continue to support greyhound racing,” Mr Joyce said.

Deputy Premier and Nationals leader Troy Grant is facing opposition within his own party to the greyhound racing ban.

Premier Mike Baird has so far resisted calls to overturn the ban or push the enforcement of the ban back to 2020.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is refusing to publicly enter the debate but it is understood he has concerns about the greyhound racing ban.

Mr Grant was asked yesterday about revelations in The Daily Telegraph that Nationals ministers John Barilaro and Niall Blair had asked him to reverse the ban, and denied either minister had approached him about a reversal.

“Ministers Blair and Barilaro can answer for themselves, but neither of them have asked me to reverse the ban,” he said.

He also refused to be drawn on whether he would be open to reversing the ban before the Orange by-election.

“We are waiting on the taskforce report before our government will make any decisions ... It’s a comprehensive engagement with industry to find out how and what government needs to do to support industry as result of the transition,” Mr Grant said.

“And while there is speculation and mischief making out there, the government’s sole focus is on doing our job and making sure this package is as fair and comprehensive as possible.”