Tasmanians were shocked by the Office of Racing Integrity's decision to reinstate harness racer Ben Yole's licence despite the active investigation into allegations of his race fixing, team driving and animal abuse. It is great that a panel is doing an investigation, but the point is that it is shocking he has started racing again while the investigation is ongoing.
TasRacing and the Rockliff Government have wisely walked away from spending tens of millions of dollars on a new greyhound racetrack in Devonport.
However, we are here today talking about the exploitation of animals for profit and a utilitarian approach in law to these animals.
Local rules were changed to require rehoming, and any requests to kill a dog must be approved by the Office of Racing Integrity's (ORI) Director of Racing, the so-called 'no-kill policy'.
Information compiled by animal rights and greyhound welfare groups confirmed 27 greyhounds who raced on a Tasmanian track in the 2023-24 season have died so far, including one sent through the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP).
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.
Puppies born that do not survive because they are not used to race; they are wastage to the industry.
Tasmania is one of the last places on Earth where greyhound racing has been allowed to continue. The industry has been exposed repeatedly for terrible cruelty towards these gentle, sensitive dogs - on and off the track.