Baird continues misinformation and deflection campaign
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph newspaper published on August 3, NSW Premier Baird restated the reasoning behind his unilateral decision to shut down greyhound racing as of July next year.
So, let's look at his reasons, and take them one by one.
First of all, he made it clear horse racing and farming would not face restrictions because, “Horse racing (is) flourishing, growing across the world.”
What kind of a deflective argument is that? Can anyone name at least two countries in the world where horse racing has been introduced in the last five years? I believe the answer is none. Equally, what relevance does this have to NSW?
Baird stated, “Greyhound racing is shrinking, the number of participants, the attendance, the economics. It is down to eight countries. It's now going to be down to four states in America. If you look at the economic analysis out of America it is losing money, the industry is shrinking, the number of participants is shrinking the attendances are shrinking and there are massive animal welfare issues.”
When the McHugh Commission commenced its hearings in 2015, greyhound racing in the United States was taking place in the following states (with the venue in brackets): Alabama (Birmingham, Mobile), Arizona (Southland, Tucson), Iowa (Bluffs Run, Dubuque), Florida (Daytona Beach, Derby Lane, Ebro, Mardi Gras, Melbourne, Naples-Ft Myers, Orange Park, Palm Beach, Pensacola, Sanford-Orlando, Sarasota), Texas (Gulf), and West Virginia (Tri-State, Wheeling Downs). By my count that is six states, not four.
Even if what Baird says was true, what relevance does that have with greyhound racing in Australia? As Jason Caley, who posted on this website's forum noted:
“The trouble with racing in the USA…is that there really was never ever any central regulatory authority on a state basis,” he wrote. “On a national basis yes, but the tracks are run independently by corporations and those who choose to be trainers are employed effectively by the track owners.
“The notion of an owner-trainer/backyard trainer who brings his dogs to the track to race but at all other times treats them as pets is lost in the USA… Dogs kenneled at the track and trialed only at that track…As you well know – here in Australia – the greyhounds leave the track – the state authorities administer all racing and those tracks (mostly – there are exceptions) are administered by the authorities.
“The US model is very different. I could not in good conscience participate in racing in the USA during my time there yet I am a trainer here and have no moral qualms about putting my dogs on a track over here in Australia.”
Baird claimed the McHugh report ‘gave him no option but to shut down the industry.' The McHugh report came up with 80 recommendations and the failures within the sport can be placed squarely at the feet of the various state governments, both Labor and Liberals, who failed to govern it correctly.
He said, “Even if you implemented their reforms, there were still up to 3,000 dogs that were going to be slaughtered every year, live baiting would remain and the economics were entirely and utterly questionable.”
Let's reiterate again what McHugh noted with regard to live baiting: between 10 and 20 per cent of trainers involved. For the mathematically-challenged that means at least 80 per cent and up to 90 per cent are not involved. So, properly administered and live baiting would not continue because it's already a relative rarity.
As far as the alleged ‘slaughter' – note the use of this ‘emotive' word – is concerned, proper oversight and regulation could virtually eliminate this problem. Note: horses live for 25 years or more on average, yet it was only in 2014 the thoroughbred code introduced measures to check what was happening to horses after their racing careers were concluded. Where are all the racehorses who retired between, say, 2005 and 2013? How many have been ‘slaughtered', to use the emotive word of the Premier? Yet, the horse racing authorities have been permitted to introduce measures to prevent wholesale slaughter while greyhound racing in NSW has been clearly discriminated against.
As for the questionable economics, well the premier is pretty good at ‘questionable'. Recommendation 64 in the McHugh report reads: ‘If the racing codes cannot agree on a more equitable distribution of TAB revenue, the Parliament of NSW should legislate to amend the current arrangements by providing for a distribution that reflects each codes contribution to TAB revenue.' NSW Greyhound Racing earns over 22 per cent of turnover yet only receives 13 per cent in distribution. By any measure this is clearly unfair.
But is it in decline? Let's look at the figures.
Arguably, the peak period for racing as a whole in NSW occurred in the early to mid years of the 1970s. The NSW TAB had been established in late 1964 but there was no way anyone could have a legal off-course bet on the races after about 6pm when the TAB agencies closed, so the racetrack was pretty much the only place anyone could go to get a bet on. That's why the tracks were so busy in that era. Since then, racetrack attendance at all codes has dropped, primarily because there are so many alternative options for having a legal bet and for being able to watch the races.
In the 1964-1965 season, NSW TAB turnover on horse racing amounted to 72.04% of the total, while greyhound racing accounted for 15.39% and harness racing just 12.57%.
In the 1966-1967 season, greyhound racings share of NSW TAB turnover dropped to 14.30%, while horse racing was at 68.55%.
Then along came the great Zoom Top. Media coverage skyrocketed and with it turnover. By the end of the 1971-1972 season, greyhound racing hit 22.90% while the horses were down to 59.23% and harness racing 17.87%.
Between 30 June 1965 and 30 June 1972, horse racing had declined more than 12% while greyhounds had grown more than seven percent. So, if greyhound racing is around 22% of turnover in 2015-2016 and it was 22% of turnover 45 years ago, it doesn't take a maths whiz to see it has retained its share of the turnover pie. The figures don't lie Mr Baird.
More and more this decision looks to be driven by a kind of class warfare: the ‘poor, working-class, Labor-voting dog man' versus the financial lure of valuable land occupied by the greyhound tracks. For those living near Wentworth Park, it won't be long now until the developers have moved in and the skyscrapers go up.
DUNCAN, you are so spot on with that appraisal overall. I am a participant from the 70’s onwards. I can assure the UN-EDUCATED TWEETER MIKE BAIRD, that crowds in those days were extremely content. dog racing was a MONDAY/THURSDAY especially, night out to have a HOT-DOG(do u know what a hot-dog is snob BAIRD?) a beer and a punt. the emergence of SKY CHANNEL ETC; certainly made it more comfortable to bet on-line at home. why was this so? now listen BAIRDY BOY, to my expert(lol) interpretation. with you and your SOCIAL MEDIA SELFIE HAND HELD GIZMOS, guess what son…..was… Read more »
It does seem like Mike Baird’s decision to ban Greyhound Racing will result in a big win for the Horse and Harness Racing Industries. Could this be the real reason for Baird’s intractability on this issue? I suspect Casino Mike would rather see his rich mates who own horses get richer than the working class man and woman continue in their chosen pastime.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/new-look-for-rosehill-gardens-australian-turf-club-announces-16m-upgrade-to-facilities/news-story/960dd07c49bf0001e42d21d7553a6b73 AND READ THE PART WHERE ”A ONCE OF GOVERNMENT GRANT OF MILLION TOWARDS EXPANSION THAT INCLUDES A HOTEL” a loan maybe? does it get paid back? how if the industry is flailing like a jockeys whip on the rump of a horse? it is all about finacials as far as baird goes in relation to pee off the dogs. we are a hurdle for him and his future chances of allowing the ARABS/CHINESE come in and re-develop the entire SYDNEY SKY-LINE. it wont only be the dogs who suffer a loss. the people od SYDNEY are slowly being hood-winked… Read more »
http://wixxyleaks.com/bad-to-the-bone-what-lies-behind-the-charm-of-mike-baird/
BAD TO THE BONE OR ROTTEN TO THE CORE……..ALL MEANS ONE THING………CORRUPTED COOT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7VsoxT_FUY
BAD TO THE BONE…….GEORGE THOROGOOD.
I AM ON FIRE
CRAZYCRAW .WITHOUT A DOUBT CRAZYCRAW….YOU KNOW POLITICIANS,THEY HAVE NO GUTS TO SPEAK THE REAL TRUTH.
ITS ALL ABOUT POWER,CONTROL,MONEY AND GREED…….THAT FAVOURS THEM AND THERE CORRUPTED MATES.
WHAT A WORLD WE LIVE IN MASTER JACK……
whispers are from within the parliamentary corridors,this is the tune played for MIKEY BAIRD as he enters the room…..and he even smiles and raises his hand like a HITLER SALUTE,then bows.
true or false?
dogem53 I would have thought a more appropriate theme song would be :” Dumb as a Post”.
The word was that former head of the successful Panthers Group, TAB, and Sky Channel was prepared to lead the reform in the Greyhound Industry but no call up by Baird and Grant. This was the man who turned around the failing fortunes of the Panthers Group who were going out the back door quickly and he alone turned their fortunes around ..What it tells us the Baird and Grant government had no intentions of the Greyhound industry staying alive, even if the Pope was the interim CEO !
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-18/future-plans-for-bathurst-based-government-agency/7424540 let me say this. in fact I will say it anyway. GREYHOUND INDUSTRY IS NOT THE ONLY REGIONAL BEING ‘WASHED-AWAY” BY THE BAIRD GOVERNMENT. the above report,indicated regional town BATHURST, may face the loss of 220 jobs,when BAIRD swipes his pen through the regional involvement. now, I am not one to sink the boots in when people are down,but I hope some activists are in jobs there. cruel? yes, but also look at BAIRD selling off AUSGRID to the CHINESE, and the HOLIER THAN THOU SCOTT MORRISON also rampant with the SILENT HUSH HUSH SALE OF TWO POWERFUL FARMS… Read more »
BobWhitelaw BOB………nothing surprises me about that dynamic duo. it appears they are sexually aroused by POWER.
the way they are going,they will certainly be allies of KIM JUN.
BOB, wrong guys in the right jobs has always brought any business down eventually.
its the damage that is caused along the way before there downfall that bothers us.
I believe we will be voted out TUESDAY,but I would not panic. we need to get to court to subpoena these turkeys and watch the way they turn on each other.
BAIRD, if called up, we sink NEWSON……..my prediction,lets see.
yep replying to myself……lol
another factor to consider to.
when BAIRD is ousted in 2019,and he knows he will, he just walks with perks(and other payments) and throws his hands in the air and announces…….ITS NOT MY PROBLEM ANYMORE…..SEE YA.
GREYHOUNDS under a LABOR GOVERNMENT will return, mark my words.
Grant on radio 2DU 8.40 this morning trying to justify his actions , this ex copper is just a grub with what he and Baird have done to Country people’s lives
Baird appears to have a very unusual group of political advisors, currently- Freddy from GreyKKK who believes his opinion on constitution law, separation of powers and the true meaning of the ethical and moral meaning of social licence is very important- based apparently on the fact he has adopted two old greyhounds, (An American, surely we can find a home grown wack job) wait yes we have one- an academic who believes that teachers should spend their day indoctrinating children about the “rights” of .00001% of the population -men who wish to dress as unattractive women, another brilliant advisor- a green… Read more »
Deborah555 DEB..he is a smart dude our mate MIKEY BOY. SAYS TO HIS OWN PARTY MEMBERS……..BEFORE IT OCCURS………THERE WILL BE RESHUFFLES AMONG MY PARTY TO STRENGTHEN OUR POSITION AND RESOLVEAT UPCOMING INHOUSE ELECTIONS. WE WILL BE ERADICATING THE OLD BOYS CLUB,DECORATING THE IMAGE WITH YOUTH,AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WOMEN IN SOLID POSITIONS TO PANDER TO THE GOVERNMENTS WISH OF FAIR PLAY FRO WOMEN IN POLITICS.(can’t teach an old dog new tricks/ the young men love a career and are smitten with being there/and women,behind the scenes are easily upset behind closed doors,so I know what to say to them) IN OTHER… Read more »
Deborah555 DEB..
WHAT ABOUT THE REPORT PAUL NEWSON SCITCHED THE POLICE ONTO A GDATA MEMBER FOR WRITTEN THREATS.
AFTER READING THE SAID STORY,I SAY NEWSON IS AS NERVY AS A DOG AROUND PETER STRINGER………..RIDICULOUS OVER REACTION BY A SUPPOSED TOUGH GUY………LOL
dogem53 Deborah555 I think the smart ones are already realising he might not be around long enough to reward or punish them – if he keeps up with his current stupidity they will not have a seat after next election.
dogem53 Deborah555 “Mummy’s sooky, sooky poo bum boys” the three of them,. Happy to demonise others and destroy their lives but the slightest insult and they are outraged- pathetic.
Deborah555 dogem53 FOUR CORNERS PROGRAM TONIGHT. HE IS SUPPOSEDLY TALKING ABOUT NSW CORRUPTED STAE!!!
4 CORNERS,WELL I’LL BE.
dogem53 Deborah555 A must watch.
Here is a reply to the Premier’s full page add “from the man that never sleeps” Source: Full page advertisement page 11, Sydney Morning Herald page 11, August 6th 2016) The sport’s response to this should be: GREYHOUND RACING IS NOT CRUEL: 1. Greyhounds love to race – unlike horses they don’t have to be whipped to run which causes stress related stomach ulcers in 80-90% of race horses. 2. Only one in 250 cruelty complaints to the RSPCA related to greyhounds. In 2013 the RSPCA reported it had no recent evidence of animal cruelty in the sport. 3. The… Read more »
THE MOST SENSIBLE CONVERSATION ANY PARLIAMENTARIAN HAS HAD ON THIS ISSUE SO FAR. WHILST NOT PINNING ALL MY HOPES ON WHAT HE SUGGESTS, A ”GRACE PERIOD” OF 3 YEARS IS THE LOGICAL. APART FROM THE OBVIOUS BREATHING SPACE, REFORMATION AND FIGURES HAVE A CHANCE TO DO WHAT THEY DO TO KPI THE INDUSTRY,AND THEN FORM AN OPINION AFTER THAT TIME. HE,TO ME IN THAT INTERVIEW, SEEMS TO BE HINTING THAT BAIRD HAS ”SPACE TO CONSIDER” THIS OPTION,AND SHOULD DO. BUT ONE VITAL KEY TO THIS,IS IF GRACE IS GIVEN,WHO RUNS GRNSW? IT CANNOT RUN LIKE IT HAS WITH THE NOW… Read more »
John Tracey What an awesome gem you are. Yes it is fairly obvious why Professor Allan was not called as an expert witness.
dogem53 Mr Humphries has from the beginning of this debate been an outspoken supporter for not banning greyhound racing. He appears to show genuine concern for the people and employment prospects in his electorate along with other National Party politicians. Lets hope they have the courage of their convictions and why they would be worried about pandering to Baird is beyond me if he keeps going he will bring them all down with him.
Deborah555 dogem53 You might have noticed that the support from politicians comes from the areas with the community race tracks both in the Horses and the greyhounds. If a social licence can be argued then these country tracks are in the majority. An attempt is being made by the Government to convince wavering members that GRNSW had intended to close all the non tab tracks so what were they fighting for anyway. It seems to me the way forward requires radical change not more of the same as recommended. The trauma should lead to creative tension which produces a new creative… Read more »
dogem53 This battle to right the wrongs in the greyhound industry is something i fought for over the last 20 years with great people like Don McMillan, Kenny Cheetham, Richie Dean Dennis Cahill Jeff Jager and Mike Eberand Tony Gannon, Gerry Lee Tony Duggan Robert Smith we have knock on politicians Doors .Warning them if they don’t address the problems we will fall over ,and look where we are today because of successive MINISTERS like SOURIS, McBRIDE, WEST, GREEN , that we all had a Audiences with , the only Minister that gave us no time was Grant he sent… Read more »
John Tracey Deborah555 dogem53 Yes I agree with all that you have said John. Trying to convince them of closure of the tracks is just another example of just how low Baird is prepared to go. He is starting to make Edie look like a solid citizen.
John Tracey Deborah555 dogem53 .now JOHN, you need to address to ou(my) level and understanding……….lol I am a bit lost as to what your REVIEW entailed,and what changes you submitted for improving the industry. can you ,like swear a bit, so I understand….lol I have no idea of NSW racing(dogs),but I simply looked up a map,located where every track was situated,and noticed pockets of saturation,especially say from SYDNEY’s wenty park, north to Lismore/tweed heads. sustainable?. with some closures,for sure,and satellite bases set up,where TAB coverage for those satellites and proper prizemonies equal to WENTY PARK, completes the ability for some to travel that little… Read more »
BobWhitelaw dogem53 BOB, mate thanks for filling us in on more details. it appears,for some unexplained reason,your cries of desperation were heard by deaf ears? GRNSW appears to have a history with corruption by stewards etc;, so how did it survive for so long? I know VICTORIA has humungus rumors about past members and even trainers,but one cannot camp on rumors. one needs evidence. yes some went down,but whispers are still strong even today on some,and that is a wart we need to rid quickly. one can only hope people like HUMPHRIES get through the stubborn minded BAIRD tonight,and a news… Read more »
Back in 2008 Hogan and his board had put together a Racing Demand Study , this study was done to simply to verify what the board wanted to achieve in rationalising greyhound racing in NSW with the loss of race dates for some clubs. The benchmark they used -,a comfortable two hour drive to the nearest track ( which made no sense ) Places like Moree, Coonamble, or Broken Hill were doomed,now this report had never factored in the remoteness or isolation of these area’s. Mr Humphries the state member for Barwon which his electorate takes up 45% of the… Read more »
dogem53 BobWhitelaw My plan for greyhound racing includes an extension of greyhound services beyond the classical restriction of just greyhound racing activities and include services for other companion animals as well. This is possible because while the weffare industry has been demonising greyhound people it has in fact been promoting the greyhound and this leads to marketing opportunities. Also as you save greyhounds from destruction there becomes more live greyhounds on the ground and more opportunities to market greyhound products and services to the new owners who are generally cash rich and we have proved by running charity meetings in the… Read more »
dogem53 BobWhitelaw Sorry I need to make one thing very clear. I should have said the Premier could not give a stuff if this Government exposes themselves to a billion dollars compensation not gives it. They would be confident that they could scam the people to give just about nothing to anyone and to fight the claims for decades.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-08/tony-abbott-warns-lobbyists-creating-potential-for-corruption/7698202 THE KEY WORD IN ALL THIS STORY IS ”LOBBYISTS”. and what does a LOBBYISTS do? gets on a phone and rings around and barters for favours between members…………leading to possible CORRUPTION within the party. last nights FOUR CORNERS,whilst not on GREYHOUND RACING, was an insight into the secretive world of politics in any state, but BAIRDS NSW more than most,is being tainted heavily with CORRUPTION LOBBYING. favours for those who do what the BAIRDY MAN wants. a bloody disgrace,but it has been in existence for decades. so the old saying of TELL THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT TOO HEAR,AS… Read more »
John Tracey dogem53 BobWhitelaw I agree entirely John lets focus on the real issue- stopping the ban the rest of the issues can be dealt with later. I am sure that people have many excellent ideas about how to improve the industry but unless we can overturn the ban they will be hypothetical at best.
” TROY GRANT THREATENS TO ‘TAKE CRIPPLED 67 Y.O GENT BEHIND THE SHEDS ” GRANT ‘THE INCREDIBLE HULK” BRINGS HIS PAST COPPER EXTREMISM INTO REGIONAL TOWN FOR A GOOD OLD JIMMY SHARMAN UNDER THE TENT STOUSH,BECAUSE POOR OLD 67 YEAR OLD LEN DARE ASK WAS HE IN BED WITH THE GREENS? THE REACTION SHOCKED OLD LEN,BUT HE STOOD HIS GROUND. and PAUL NEWSON HAS SUBJECTED A GDATA MEMBER AS THREATENING HIM VERBALLY BY WRITING ON A TOPIC…..WANTS THIS SHANE LIPPEL TAGGED FOR THREATS,YET THE HULK TROY GRANT,A FINE EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH,THREATENS A 67 Y.O GENT who has… Read more »
BobWhitelaw dogem53 Hi Bob, Credit needs to go to those you have mentioned in getting the select committee inquiry up. I was of the opinion that you were mucking up your chances of getting the matter discussed on the Agenda of the “budget estimates special committees 1 to 5 but I am happy to admit my advice turned out to be too conservative. On the question of Ministers I am happy to stick up for Grant McBride- he got through some good legislation for the greyhounds. He removed the discrimination of the greyhound freehold tracks not being able to get Governor’s… Read more »
Here is a press release from Minister Grant back in early 2015 . GRNSW board has agreed to step down . Additionally the board has agreed to stand aside the CEO ,pending the finalisation of Justice Mchugh’s review. The has agreed to formally disband and refer their powers to an interim CEO, Paul Newson who is currently the head of OLGR. (what a demotion) for one Paul Newson, anyway back to Grant .Mr Newson will continue the day to day operations and strictly enforce any breaches of the rules of racing including those that make it illegal to live bait… Read more »
Baird does not want to give in he has consulted God this morning while looking into the mirror to shave and he knows that democracy is an out-dated concept and with an ego the size of the known universe and a brain inversely proportional to his ego he is not going to give in. Yes we are being governed by a seriously out of control ego with what appears to be a very limited IQ and a set of advisors whose credentials would once have had them certified. What next ban pets, guide dogs, agriculture, pony clubs? Yes we can… Read more »
Baird the son of Bruce has proclaimed from the mountain side ” I am the Almighty One” and I have decreed how NSW should be governed. I have consulted with a disciple who believes (allegedly) that we should know animals in the biblical sense and the greens and assorted fringe fanatics and I know I am right. This sort of behaviour would have once seen you locked up for your own safety.
What a sad day to be Australian, Baird has pushing through his legislation in the Upper House with the support of the Animal Justice Party and the Greens. Last night at a Nat’s Party meeting Grub Grant was given a standing ovation for supporting Baird with the closure of Greyhound Racing here in NSW. How could the Nationals deceive the people who have supported them for many years, they have become FALSE,FICKlE,and TRAITOROUS to say the least. I hope for the sake of us good loyal Country People that the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party stand candidates against these traitors… Read more »
BobWhitelaw I doubt he will get a standing ovation after the next election. The Liberals (federally) would not have been returned this time without the Nationals and if they don’t support the people in their electorate they might all go down,.
Yes it is worrying that the parliament in Australia appears to be hijacked by people whose views are well in some cases certifiable. Maybe they are seeking a seat in Parliament for a nice pension because Baird has cut funding to mental health and they have nowhere else to go?