“Good money is being thrown after bad” – Saul Eslake’s scathing assessment of the viability of the greyhound racing industry should sound its final death knell.
On every metric, the economic viability of this cruel industry has tanked.
Less than 1% of Tasmanians attend races, public support is at about11% and dropping, wagering has fallen, participation has more than halved, and the report shows that state funding continues to rise to keep the industry alive.
Over the past 15 years, $75 million taxpayer dollars have flowed to the Tasmanian greyhound racing industry. It’s state-subsidised cruelty at scale.
It’s revealing that government spending on greyhound racing has risen faster than it has in education – yet another example of the Rockliff Governments misplaced priorities.
Economically, greyhound racing is on life support, ethically the industry is corrupted beyond repair.
In 2024, there were 282 injuries caused by greyhound racing in Tasmania alone and two dogs died on the track. Dogs found to be unsuitable for racing are struggling to find homes and animal welfare organisations are desperate for the government to see sense and end the cruelty.
The economic analysis was commissioned by a coalition of 12 animal welfare advocacy organisations, including RSPCA Tasmania and Dogs Homes of Tasmania.
Mr Eslake, a nationally respected economist concluded by saying – “There does not appear to be any compelling reason, beyond inertia, for Tasmanian greyhound racing to continue to receive generous government subsidies.”
The Racing Deed which funds the industry expires in 2029. Now is the time for government to start working on ending the subsidies, delivering a just transition for participants in the industry and increased funding to rehome ex-racing greyhounds.
The Greens agree that the sooner this cruel and unnecessary industry is wound up the more dogs’ lives will be saved, and the more taxpayer money can be directed to urgent needs like health, housing, education, and climate preparedness.
