Greyhound industry participants should receive fair compensation to exit the industry through current and future funding allocated to the code, particular attention should be paid to regional communities to offset any job losses, and animal rehoming organisation should receive extra funding to find good homes for the hundreds of dogs that will be freed from racing – these are among key recommendations of a report prepared by the UTAS School of Business and Economics on industry transition.
The ‘Industry Transition Plan for Greyhound Racing in Tasmania’ was commissioned by the Greens prior to the Rockliff Government’s announced phase out of greyhound racing, with the main body of work undertaken following the announcement.
The plan sets out a structured, sustainable and fair framework for an end to greyhound racing in Tasmania. It recognises the industry has lost its social license and comes at huge public cost through the Racing Deed. Economist, Saul Eslake, estimates greyhound racing has received almost $75 million in public subsidies between 2009 and 2025.
Given the evidence of harm to animals – the poor living conditions, countless on-track injuries and numerous deaths – it’s clear greyhound racing is state-sponsored cruelty.
The transition plan prepared by UTAS finds somewhere between 200-600 industry participants will be affected by the proposed phase-out. The report recommends redirected funds towards the exit transition be proportionately distributed across the south, north and north-west regions to prevent geographic inequality.
It also recommends a consultation process with affected communities to repurpose existing greyhound racing infrastructure towards public benefit, such as medium density housing and other social infrastructure that delivers lasting community benefits.
Among the plan’s 19 recommendations is a proposal that Tasmania leverage its existing brand strengths in tourism, food and environment to demonstrate leadership in animal welfare. This would be reinforced through public campaigns and community engagement highlighting the importance of treating all animals humanely.
For the beautiful dogs being exploited, maimed and killed by this industry, the day it ends can’t come soon enough.
Already this year, there have been 13 on-track injuries to greyhounds, 27 off-track injuries and one death – Memphis Rains, who suffered a right hock injury at Elwick on 8 January, was given a 90 stand down by stewards, then sent back to Victoria where the syndicate that owned Memphis Rains made the decision to have the dog killed.
Every day the industry is allowed to continue will be a day of suffering for beautiful, sentient dogs who deserve so much better.
I have sent a copy of the UTAS industry transition plan to the Racing Integrity Commissioner, Sean Carroll, in the hope it will help to inform his vital work on industry transition.
Legislation to phase-out greyhound racing in Tasmania was referred to the Parliamentary oversight committee on industry transition late last year.
It is expected to be debated in the first half of this year.
