Compo in offing for state greyhound racing ban
A bone has been thrown to dishwashers for political gain for a state ban on greyhound racing.
Tasmanian greyhound racing participants will receive compensation for the industry’s closure until June 2029, the state Liberal government announced on Sunday.
Prime Minister Jeremy Rockliff confirmed a bill to change the ban to include compensation after it passed the lower house in December.
Details of the compensation framework will be included in the legislation and a financing package will be outlined in the state budget.
“We will ensure that the welfare of participants and animals is a priority as greyhound racing in Tasmania is phased out by June 2029,” Mr Rockliff said.
The Liberals made several policy concessions, including a ban on greyhound racing, to a largely progressive crossbencher to retain power after the July state election.
Compensation, consultation and oversight were key issues raised by independent upper house MPs when the bill was referred to a committee for consideration.
Greens MP Cassy O’Connor hoped the compensation guarantee would be enough to win their support when the bill comes up for debate again.
“This industry has lost its social licence,” the party’s animal rights spokesman told reporters.
“He is running the race; he is cruel and exploitative.
“Dogs are still dying; we’ve had almost 40 injuries on and off the track since January 1 this year.”
While Labor remains opposed to the ban, party leader Dean Winter said the change of government had exposed serious flaws in the original legislation.
“The greyhound community has invested based on Prime Minister Jeremy Rockliff’s assurance of support,” he said.
“If the shocking shutdown of the sector is approved by parliament it will cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.”
Tasmania will become the first Australian state to ban greyhound racing after the ACT banned it in 2018.
NSW moved to ban the sport in 2016 before then-NSW Liberal premier Mike Baird pulled off a sensational backflip.
In December, a long-running NSW investigation into the troubled sector found not a single road in the state was up to minimum standards set in 2020.
Acting industry regulator Lea Drake has recommended shutting down the entire industry within weeks if new standards are not set and announced.
NSW Racing Minister David Harris has instead given greyhound authorities until June 30 to comply with a set of expectations aimed at improving greyhound welfare.
Greyhound Racing NSW has confirmed Muswellbrook and Broken Hill racetracks will be shut down on June 30 because the industry “cannot afford” to upgrade every track to minimum standards.
It comes after NSW’s famous Dapto Dogs racing venue held its final race meeting in September after almost 90 years.
A report from the NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission shows 262 animals have been euthanized in the six months to the end of 2025.
Of the 126 deaths reported in the last quarter, 56 were attributed to accidents or injuries.
While South Australia’s greyhound racing industry has been given two years to clean up its act or face closure, the Victorian government has shown strong support for the industry.
