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Concerned reaction over NSW and ACT’s ban of greyhound racing

COMMISSIONER Michael McHugh found something about greyhound racing so extraordinary that Mike Baird had no choice but to ban it.

Dan Elsom and James Matthey
7 min read
July 15, 2016 - 6:00PM
Greyhound racing will be banned in NSW as of July 1, 2017.
Greyhound racing will be banned in NSW as of July 1, 2017.

NSW premier Mike Baird’s announcement yesterday that the greyhound industry will be closed completely from July next year has been met with a mixed reaction.

The ACT quickly followed suit, announcing later on Thursday afternoon greyhound racing would also be banned in the nation’s capital.

Mr Baird’s ruling came in response to the findings of a Special Commission of Inquiry, which were handed to the state government last week. The Inquiry found that in the last 12 years in NSW, between 49,000 and 68,000 dogs were killed because they weren’t considered quick enough to win races.

Commissioner Michael McHugh recommended Parliament consider shutting down the industry.

“As a humane and responsible government, we are left with no acceptable course of action except to close this industry down,” Mr Baird said in a statement.

“This is the inevitable conclusion to be drawn from the appalling revelations in Mr McHugh’s report and his considered view that any other measures are unlikely to protect animals from further cruelty.”

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr took to Facebook to explain his decision to follow NSW’s lead.

“Having had an initial look at the NSW report, we agree with the decision of the NSW government,” Barr wrote. “There is no future for this industry in the ACT.

“We will consider the findings of the NSW report before announcing a process to end the practice of greyhound racing in the ACT.

“The findings from the Special Commission of Inquiry into the NSW greyhound racing industry are damning.

“The Government cannot continue to support an industry that is turning a blind eye to the sort of behaviour and cruelty uncovered by the Special Commission of Inquiry.

“It is untenable for the ACT Government to continue allowing, and financially supporting the practice of greyhound racing.”

Many responses to the industry shutdown were supportive when discussing the welfare of the animals, but there were major concerns of the economic repercussions and job losses associated with such a sizeable move.

‘ONE OF THE BIGGEST DAYS FOR ANIMAL WELFARE’

The RSPCA labelled the move “one of the biggest days for animal welfare in the state’s history”, rejoicing in the closing down of greyhound racing.

In a post to their Twitter account, RSPCA NSW shared their elation at the news, while other pundits joined in support.

Animal Welfare League Australia (AWLA) praised the NSW Government for its bravery in banning greyhound racing, and implored other states to do the same.

“This is a courageous move by the NSW Government and one that is entirely justified,’’

AWLA President Richard Mussell said in a statement.

“Greyhound racing throughout Australia is dysfunctional and needs to be dismantled.

“AWLA does not support the exploitation of dogs for sport, gambling or entertainment

purposes.

“The industry in NSW has proven incapable of safeguarding the welfare of dogs, despite

several inquiries and attempts to reform racing practices.

“This is a wake-up call for other states who allow this industry a safe haven and where the

risk of barbaric practices such as live-baiting is unacceptably high.

“When it comes to animal welfare, those states are out of step and need to ensure that the

welfare of greyhounds comes first.’’

‘HE FOUND IT EXTRAORDINARY’

Mike Baird was left with no choice but to act.
Mike Baird was left with no choice but to act.

Mike Baird said despite the fact there were undoubtedly good people working in greyhound racing, the industry as a whole had let them down and left no choice but for him to implement the ban.

Speaking on the Ben Fordham Show on 2GB radio on Thursday afternoon, Baird said Commissioner McHugh was astounded even after the ABC exposed malpractice in the industry, live baiting continued.

“How you could do anything other than respond the way we have today I don’t know,” Mr Baird said.

“There are good people in this industry that have done the right thing … but as a collective the industry has let them down.

“What is clear, and what was quite incredible in this report was that even after those revelations (made first on ABC’s Four Corners program), live baiting continued, and justice McHugh found it incredible and he asked for additional time because he found it extraordinary.

“I don’t think anyone can imagine and certainly until I saw this report I was not in any way aware that every greyhound that is bred for racing, between 50 and 70 per cent of them are slaughtered because they’re not fast enough.

“This can’t go on, it can’t go on.”

Such a realisation was enough to jolt the Premier into action. He said he would regret it if one day he looked back on his time as the NSW leader without having done anything about this issue.

“I think you could, for all types of reasons, try and squib this decision,” Mr Baird said.

“On this, when you read the report and you’re confronted with the facts, you have to do what is right … this won’t be a popular thing to do but it’s the right thing.”

When asked what would happen to Sydney dog track Wentworth Park, the Premier was adamant it would not be used for residential purposes. He said the community would be consulted on what to do with the land.

NSW’S ‘CRUCIAL NEXT STEP’

In a stern plea on Facebook, Dr Chris Brown called for the NSW government to take action to ensure the safety of retired greyhounds.

Describing ban as “massive news”, Brown said the “crucial next step” for Baird’s government is education.

“In massive news, the NSW government has just announced that greyhound racing will be banned in NSW from mid 2017,” Brown wrote.

“But here’s what the crucial next step must be...

“We must educate the public that greyhounds DO make good pets.

“Finding a safe home for those already in the industry is crucial... Otherwise we could easily lose more of these dogs that have already been through enough.”

Mr Baird is already thinking about the future of those dogs, saying on 2GB the government would work on a transition plan with the industry, while it would also explore a re-housing program for greyhounds.

‘NO WAY THIS ISN’T GOING TO COURT’

The Geelong Advertiser’s Ryan Reynolds claimed the case had no option but to end up in a court room.

Another major concern was for the hundreds of people working in the industry, with estimates as many as 1000 jobs could be lost.

WAGERING INDUSTRY

The TAB was confident the wagering industry would not suffer as a result of the cut, but rather punters would shift their bets to other forms of racing.

“Tabcorp expects a significant level of substitution will occur to other wagering product, such as thoroughbred racing, harness racing, sport and animated racing,” Tabcorp said on Thursday.

Shares in Tabcorp were 32 cents, or 6.97 per cent, lower at $4.27 at AEST.

Tabcorp said its media business, Sky Racing, would work with other Australian and international racing industry bodies to source alternative racing to replace the broadcast of greyhound races in NSW.

THE GREYHOUND RACING INDUSTRY

The future of dogs is still up in the air.
The future of dogs is still up in the air.

Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) issued a media release following Mike Baird’s announcement, calling it a “sad day” for the industry.

The organisation has also decided to cancel all greyhound meetings scheduled for the next seven days.

“The greyhound racing industry is devastated by today’s decision by the NSW Government to shut down the sport in NSW,” the statement read.

“In the past 16 months, GRNSW has transformed the organisation and regulation of the industry to significantly improve animal welfare and supervision of the industry.

“GRNSW had taken decisive action as it strived to recover community trust and believed that its reforms and strategic direction could have transformed the sport into a stronger sustainable one in which animal welfare and integrity were fundamental to a vibrant future. The industry wanted to do more and was committed in doing so.

“The NSW Government, after receiving the Report of the Special Commission of Inquiry, has come to a different conclusion, one that will rock industry participants and associated communities around our state, as well as the hardworking GRNSW team and its partners who have been working tirelessly to improve the industry.

“Today is an extremely sad day for the NSW greyhound racing industry and the people involved in it.”

THE OTHER STATES

Victoria and Queensland will not be banning greyhound racing.

Racing Victoria Chairman David Moodie issued a statement reacting to Mike Baird’s decision.

“Today’s decision to end greyhound racing in New South Wales serves as a timely reminder to all racing codes and jurisdictions of their responsibility to ensure the welfare of racing animals,” Moodie said.

“Racing Victoria recognises its obligations to ensure that the welfare of thoroughbreds in this state is maintained and we are committed to continually strengthening our resources to achieve this.

“The Racing Victoria Board recently approved its equine welfare strategic plan which included an enhanced welfare structure within our Integrity Services and an increased focus on welfare compliance.

“It is in the best interests of all within the racing industry that we better understand the life cycle of all thoroughbreds bred to race and these news breeding rules will ensure that we can invest our resources into appropriate welfare programs and initiatives in the future.

“It is the intention that responsible conduct of ownership of unnamed thoroughbred stock will be regulated by Principal Racing Authorities under the Rules of Racing.”

Racing Queensland also issued a statement on Thursday evening. In it the body recognised the findings from its own commission handed down last year and reiterated it is taking steps to ensure the industry plays by the rules.

“Animal welfare is at the forefront of the industry,” said Racing Queensland Acting Chief Executive Officer Sam Adams.

“Queensland has already taken major steps in the process of reform with the establishment of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC), the adoption of the recommendations made in the MacSporran report and the firm action taken by Racing Queensland to remove individuals involved in animal welfare breaches from the industry.

“Racing Queensland fully supports the role that QRIC will play and will work hand-in-hand with QRIC to deliver a governance and racing administration framework which delivers best outcomes for the racing industry in Queensland.”

BAIRD’S AGENDA

Others claimed Mr Baird had his own interests at heart. The NSW government has allegedly approved a number of racing tracks across the state for development.

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