Minister, this report. A Few Bad Apples is being released today by Animal Liberation Tasmania. I can't table it, but I could hand you a copy if you would like to receive it. It is being released today and it is a very deep independent review of 19 properties in government data that has been compiled on deaths and injuries in the greyhound industry. It paints a terrible and accurate picture of what is happening in greyhound racing in Tasmania.
Mr President, I know it is getting late and I was not going to say anything on this, but you say the name Ben Yole and the pink mist descends because we found out today that the Office of Racing Integrity has approved Ben Yole to keep training.
However, we are here today talking about the exploitation of animals for profit and a utilitarian approach in law to these animals.
It is a well‑established fact that animals are sentient beings. It is not something that needs to be proven.
Every year taxpayers fork out more than $30 million to subsidise Tasmania’s three racing codes under the 2009 Racing Deed. There must be an inquiry into this Deed.
Information compiled by animal rights and greyhound welfare groups confirms 27 greyhounds, who raced on a Tasmanian track in the 23/24 season, have already died
Madam Deputy Speaker, I want to acknowledge that we are speaking to this bill in our role as the voice for animals in Tasmania and as the voice for all Tasmanians who care about the welfare of animals.
Despite harness racer, Ben Yole, being the subject of the Murrihy investigation's findings of team driving, race fixing and animal neglect, and two subsequent bans by Tasracing, whose actions were upheld by the Supreme Court, Mr Yole was back racing on Sunday.
The decision to allow Ben Yole and other harness racing figures named in the Murrihy Report to return to the track will stun every animal loving Tasmanian.
The greyhound trainer who narrowly escaped a lifetime ban on appeal is again the focus of animal welfare advocates following the recent deaths of two greyhounds in his ‘care’.