Ms O’CONNOR – In Council recently, we had a debate about the hemp regulation miscellaneous bill and we enacted a fit and proper person test for people who are licenced to grow hemp here. Why haven’t we legislated a fit and proper person test for people who train and, in some cases, and I can say this here, like Anthony Bullock and Ben Yole, are not kind to animals – torture them? Why wouldn’t we enact a fit and proper person test for people who have responsibility for sentient creatures.
Ms HOWLETT – Chair, I thank Ms O’Connor for her question. The deputy secretary has some information on ‘fit and proper person’ in relation to the bill that passed through the Legislative Council last week.
Ms WILSON – Through you, minister. The bill is a significant step forward because it does include provisions relating to ‘fit and proper’ which is not in the current Racing Regulation Act, so it is now enshrined in legislation and it sits in the rules. This is a significant step forward in terms of the bill.
The other thing around the bill is that it refers to ‘fit and proper’ in a couple of places. It’s not just in one place. It’s around licencing, it’s around whether – I think it’s the CRIO – the Chief Racing Integrity Officer is ‘fit and proper’ and I think also in the TRAB, I’d have to check. Yes, it is. Therefore, it’s going to be applied in different contexts in the bill.
The other thing is the fact that there’s a common law definition for ‘fit and proper’ which has been tested in the courts, including in decisions relating to racing matters. In appeal courts, not just in Tasmania but in other jurisdictions, it means that it is actually quite robust and means that the decision‑maker has guidance, but can also apply the test in an appropriate context, based on the fact that they are considering at the time.
Ms O’CONNOR ‑ Thank you, Ms Wilson. Minister, is Ben Yole a fit and proper person to hold a trainer’s licence given the findings of the Murrihy review which had findings of fact in relation to team driving and race fixing and had findings of fact in relation to the way the Yole stable treated animals, including overstocking, barren paddocks devoid of pasture, substantial areas being waterlogged, sanitary issues, feeding issues, shelter and shade lacking, insufficient and inadequate. Is Ben Yole really a fit and proper person to have a trainer’s licence?
Ms HOWLETT – I thank Ms O’Connor for her question. I will state this again today. It’s really important that the independent stewards’ panel is allowed to do its work without prejudice and without any political interference. I am not going to comment on that. What I will comment on is I am looking forward to having that independent stewards report on 30 September. I am not going to say anything that will jeopardise that independent stewards report. We’re nearly there. It’s next week and I am not going to comment on it.
Ms O’CONNOR – Okay, thank you.
Ms O’CONNOR – Thank you, Chair. It’s good to get back to animal welfare.
Minister, I want to talk about another person who the Greens don’t regard as fit and proper to have animals in his care, and that is Anthony Bullock, who, as we know from this report, had been operating without a kennel licence from the West Tamar Council for about a decade. We’ve got pictures here of his suffering animals. He came up quite often at the greyhound inquiry that we had nine years ago. How many greyhounds does Anthony Bullock currently have in his custody?
Ms HOWLETT – The amount of greyhounds in Mr Bullock’s custody – I would have to refer that to the Office of Racing Integrity, to the director, to answer that question, Ms O’Connor.
Mr THOMPSON – Through you, minister: Mr Bullock has a kennel licence from the West Tamar Council which allows him to keep 91 registered greyhounds on his property and four other dogs of other breeds.
Ms O’CONNOR – Thank you, Mr Thompson. That’s sad news. What checks are carried out on Mr Bullock’s property?
CHAIR – The second question from the honourable member is around inspections.
Ms HOWLETT – Inspections? The kennel operated by Mr Bullock is part of this inspection program and has been subjected to unannounced inspections four times in 2024, with the latest being by the regulatory veterinarian on 17 April this year. I am advised that the regulatory veterinarian provided a written report that stated:
In my opinion, the standard of animal welfare of the dogs on his premises was high.
Ms O’CONNOR – Oh, that’s interesting. Did Mr Bullock replace all the kennels that he had his dogs contained in?
Ms HOWLETT – That’s an animal welfare question, and it’s important to note, too, that Tasracing has accepted a recommendation by the director of racing regarding the need to implement an enforceable greyhound welfare code of practice and will soon release a draft document for consultation. All licensed greyhound racing kennels are regularly inspected for compliance with the rules of racing and the Animal Welfare Act 1992.
Ms O’CONNOR – And, at those unannounced inspections, has there been a good look at the bullring Mr Bullock has on his property? That’s a fair question, why would you roll your eyes at me?
Ms HOWLETT – Thank you, and I will pass to the director to answer that question.
Mr THOMPSON – Yes, the bullring is part of Mr Bullock’s property. Yes, it is inspected, and all the inspections that I’ve been privy to, there’s no evidence the bullring is being used.
Ms O’CONNOR – Just in this report there are cars parked outside that bullring. The drone footage taken by the Farm Transparency Project shows there are cars parked outside Mr Bullock’s bullring, just for reference.
CHAIR – That is a statement, not a question.
