Tasmanians will be subject to a flood of falsehoods led by interstate greyhound exploitation interests as the State moves to end greyhound racing by 30 June 2029. Cashed up mainland sporting and gambling interests are working hard to keep the cruelty going in Tasmania.
A new body, Greyhounds Tasmania, has been established to fight the phase out. It’s headed up by Luke Gatehouse, former President of the Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club whose Albion Park track is the most lethal in the country to date.
As more recent CEO of the Queensland Greyhound Racing Club, Mr Gatehouse was a leading figure behind the new Q Track, which has killed 14 dogs and injured almost 300 since it opened in March this year. Nobody should believe Mr Gatehouse when, as part of the coming propaganda campaign, he tries to tell Tasmanians greyhound racing is a humane industry.
Overwhelmingly, they know it’s not and never will be, which is why it’s banned nearly everywhere in the world. People just won’t accept that abusive treatment of dogs, as demonstrated by 74% public support (EMRS) for the Premier’s announcement.
The facts are clear – the industry is in decline, it’s throwing good public money after bad, animal welfare standards are appalling, and Tasmanians support the announced phase out. The end of greyhound racing in Tasmania is inevitable, just as it is around the country, which is exactly what its mainland backers fear.
Today we stood with Independent MP, Kristie Johnston, Mark Wild from the Dogs Home of Tasmania, animal welfare advocates and hounds of every stripe to say, Tasmania is not for turning.
The Greens look forward to working constructively in this balance of power parliament to deliver an end to greyhound racing, legislative reform, a just transition for industry participants, and – critically – the good life every gentle, sentient greyhound deserves.
