Government moves to end greyhound racing in the ACT


Released 25/07/2017

The ACT Government will legislate to prohibit greyhound racing and trialling in the ACT by 30 June 2018. A government taskforce will work with the greyhound industry to deliver a package to enable their transition from the industry.

Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay made the announcement today and released the independent report Greyhound Racing Industry Transition Options Analysis by Mary Durkin.

“There is no future for the greyhound industry in the ACT and we will continue to work with the local greyhound racing industry and animal welfare groups during this transition,” Minister Ramsay said.

“As the Durkin report states, the greyhound industries in New South Wales and the ACT are inextricably linked.

“We cannot turn a blind eye to the sort of behaviour and animal cruelty uncovered in New South Wales. Nor can we ignore the impact of regulatory failure in relation to those matters in that jurisdiction. While we have strong animal welfare controls in the ACT, it is impossible to divorce the local greyhound industry from the New South Wales industry and it is impossible to separate the local regulatory framework from the New South Wales framework.

“The prospect of those behaviours coming into the ACT, and the risk of regulatory failure in New South Wales, presents an unacceptable risk.

“Greyhound racing is out of line with community values and the government made a commitment at the last election to end the industry.

In 2016, approximately 71 dogs that raced were based in the ACT, while 1107 were from NSW. Over the past five years, more than 320 dogs sustained minor to catastrophic injuries during a race. 26 dogs were destroyed at the track on the day of racing.

“And, the Durkin report states, injury rates and the later destruction of dogs do not always appear in the data made available to the public,” Minister Ramsay said.

“Most people in our community find this unacceptable and are greatly concerned about the treatment of greyhounds.

“The Government is providing more than $1 million to assist workers in the industry to re-skill and ensure the welfare of greyhounds, including those that may need to be re-homed. I will make a further announcement regarding the transitional assistance package before the end of July.

“The ACT industry is small with around 70 Canberra residents who are owners, breeders or trainers along with a small number of workers and contractors associated with the Canberra Greyhound Racing Club.

“We are committed to continuing to work with industry participants, I invite those people who will be affected to contact the government’s taskforce about the support that will be available.

“The industry transition taskforce will implement the Durkin report recommendations regarding the transition package. It will be chaired by Deputy Director-General of the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate Leesa Croke and include representatives from across the ACT Government.”

The Durkin report found that an end date of 30 June 2018 for the greyhound racing industry is achievable.

Greyhound industry participants are encouraged to contact the taskforce via greyhoundtaskforce@act.gov.au More information will be available on www.act.gov.au/greyhoundtaskforce

- Statement ends -

Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases


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