Scott addresses objectives of Greyhound Industry Reform Panel
Update: NEW South Wales Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) CEO Brenton Scott says the industry has not been locked into a strict 2,000 dogs per annum breeding cap.
This comes despite the fact that the figure was submitted to NSW Premier Mike Baird on August 9 as a part of four guarantees made to the government by the NSW Greyhound Racing Industry Alliance as it fought to have the controversial greyhound racing ban overturned.
The guarantees have since been stated (read below) as part of the terms of reference for the newly established Greyhound Racing Industry Reform Panel.
The new panel, formed after Baird announced his reversal of the ban, is made of five members, led by former Premier Morris Iemma, Brenton Scott representing the industry, as well as representatives from the Department of Primary Industry, Department of the Premier and the RSPCA.
An expert advisory committee is also expected to be formed in the near future to assist the panel in making recommendations to the government on how to ensure the future of greyhound racing within NSW.
Scott said while the cap of 2,000 dogs bred per year had been removed from the guarantees prior to the panel's introductory meeting on Friday, the industry still remains devoted to the commitments put forward to the Premier.
“The commitments are a controlled breeding program, a total lifecycle management for all greyhounds that are bred, zero tolerance for animal cruelty and the provision of optimum levels of animal safety,” Scott told Australian Racing Greyhound.
“The Alliance have raised [the 2,000 breeding cap] specifically with the Premier and Deputy Premier.
“Since [August 9] the Alliance has taken its position to Greyhounds Australasia and has explained that the concept of a controlled breeding program needs to have a national focus.
“We need to understand what's needed to cater for the entire national racing program at a given time and all of our planning needs to be between two and five years ahead.
“We obviously can't breed more than we need to cater for that racing program, once we ensure the national level and the flow between states, then it will become an easier process to determine the breeding levels that should apply in each state.
“It's not about approaching this issue from a breeding cap point of view, but approaching it from an appreciation that we shouldn't be breeding excess to our racing needs and we shouldn't be breeding excess to our capacity to re-home in a manner that is line with community expectations.”
Whilst the official letter to the Premier, sent on August 9, has not been made public, Scott said there have been no further commitments made to the government aside from what was outlined in the Alliance press release on that same date.
“There is no variation there at all,” Scott said, referring any differences between the letter to the Premier and the press release dated the same day.
Scott also said the breeding cap of 2,000 has since been removed as a part of the industry's guarantees to the government. However, the terms of reference for the new reform panel, drafted on Wednesday, specifically cite the guarantees made on the August 9.
“[The cap of 2,000] was a condition on August 9 and it was something which was rejected by the government when they went to the Upper House two days later.
“The next time we spoke to the government about the industry's capability to provide guarantees, the breeding cap number was taken off the table, but what stays on the table is a sophisticated approach to a controlled breeding program.
“That is what the industry needs and it is what the government and community want.”
Scott said whilst the Alliance made guarantees to the government on how greyhound racing could be reformed, he is also hopeful the industry will be able to benefit from some major changes as a result of the Panel's work.
“The industry will be seeking to have a robust animal welfare framework with world leading practices, secondly we want to ensure we come out of this process with best practice regulation and supervisory models in place.
“Our third ambition is to emerge from this with a funding model which has regard for our commercial, regulatory and animal welfare obligations.
“This means our wagering returns across Tabcorp earnings, race field earnings and taxation parity earnings need to be based on a performance model where our returns are connected to our market share.
“That will be strongly put as one of our three principle requirements out of this process.
“We have had a lot of attempts to have it dealt with. The Cameron Report is probably the only truly independent assessment of wagering arrangements in NSW and that report in 2008 recommended a movement to a competitive based distribution model.
“Then we had the Select Committee Inquiry that made similar observations and now we have the McHugh Report making a recommendation that market share principles ought to apply.
“People need to sit down and consider change. Now is the time for it to be carefully and rationally considered.”
With both the Alliance's letter to the Premier and its media release on August 9 specifically mentioned within the terms of reference of the Greyhound Industry Reform Panel, Australian Racing Greyhound attempted to reach out to the Premier's office for clarification.
Unfortunately, our requests for information went unanswered.
Terms of reference for the Greyhound Industry Reform Panel
THE New South Wales Government has unveiled the terms of reference for the newly established Greyhound Industry Reform Panel.
The Panel, to be led by ex-Premier Morris Iemma, was announced by Premier Mike Baird following his decision to reverse the controversial greyhound racing ban.
The panel will consider the recommendations outlined in the report of the Special Commission of Inquiry as tabled by Justice Michael McHugh. The panel will also take into account the industry reform guarantees put forward to the NSW Government by the NSW Greyhound Racing Industry Alliance in both its letter to the Premier and media release on August 9.
Interestingly, the terms of reference – found at the NSW Government website here, have been drafted by Philippa King – director of social policy and a close advisor to Mike Baird – and not the state's racing minister, Troy Grant.
A point to take note of in the terms of reference below is the following:
- Ensure that the guarantees provided by the Alliance to the government are incorporated into the governance, regulatory and animal welfare proposals put forward by the panel.
This point in the document directly refers to ‘guarantees' made by the Alliance and suggests that whatever has been agreed to is going to be part of any future greyhound racing model.
Also set for consideration are the current reforms having been undertaken by Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) and the report from head of the Greyhounds Transition Taskforce, Dr John Keniry, as well as further input from an Expert Advisory Committee, as sought by the panel.
The panel is set to prepare a number of recommendations to the government targeting a series of issues relating to governance, integrity and animal welfare standards.
The particular goals of the panel are as follows:
– To develop an appropriate governance structure for the industry which will be the benchmark in its field. The structure should ensure best practice across the state in regards to both transparency and integrity within the industry.
– Put together a detailed plan for animal welfare, which will ensure best practice across the industry, with a particular focus on eradicating wastage and live baiting within the sport. This could be achieved by recommending appropriate changes to the regulatory frameworks, penalties for rule breaches and compliance mechanisms.
– Make recommendations on a new and independent regulator for the industry which has powerful compliance mechanisms which can ensure governance of the sport and proper execution of the animal welfare plan.
– Make recommendations on how to improve the safety of both racing and training environments for greyhounds, including track design, with the goal being to eliminate the occurrence of injury.
– Ensure that the guarantees provided by the Alliance to the government are incorporated into the governance, regulatory and animal welfare proposals put forward by the panel.
– Suggest any extra measures which should be undertaken by the industry to meet community expectations in regards to integrity and the welfare of the animals within the industry.
– Propose any other relevant recommendations considered necessary to ensure community confidence in the industry is restored.
– Propose a timeframe and criteria for a Statutory Review of the new legislation.
AustralianRacingGreyhound will provide more on this story as details come to hand.
I don’t think we should have too many problems given that 90% of us were not live baiting, breeding rates down 50% voluntarily last year, rules in places banning exports of dogs to countries with out welfare laws (those who missed that now explaining themselves to important people in high places.) We just need to make people understand that if some one is caught live baiting they are the only person responsible I mean what next a financial advisor kills someone and all financial advisors do time with him I mean people have been warned about murdering others for centuries… Read more »
Now that it is law that you have to report animal cruelty within 24 hours or you are committing an offence I am going to send copies of posts on the internet about people claiming they know stuff and if I do it often enough the Police will eventually question some one and one or two convictions should see the urban myth spreaders realise it is put up or shut up time. If I hear one more me grandad told me this story about some one fifty years ago I think I might be forced to take action.
Time for the RSPCA to become uninvited to join the committee. They are calling for the ban to be reinstated on their face book page. Anyone going onto the new committee should not and cannot show bias to the industry in any manner. It must be brought to the governments attention.
GeoffWilson The Victorian government has just put their lot back in their box these lot need the same treatment. The are not a welfare organisation. Nobody condemns them dirty job some one has to do it. They are the state sanctioned killing machine for unwanted animals. This is NOT WELFARE. Even Baird has not allowed Grant to set up terms of reference because it would look biased need to put these people back in their cages as well. There are some truly decent people in some of the community rehoming groups why not ask their opinion about what they need… Read more »
GeoffWilson http://www.2gb.com/article/ray-hadley-highlights-oct-13
RSPCA..MR. COLEMAN
PAUL NEWSON….CEO/GRNSW
STEWARDS GRNSW OF THE DAY.
PLEASE EXPALIN…………very disturbing straight from the hip stuff from RAY HADLEY.
(from the 7min 30 sec mark….listen about the RSPCA.)
GeoffWilson just how honest are the RSPCA leaders now?
NEWSON and even police,have some questions to be answered. and not to mention the stewards. wonderful security for the industry I must say.
this shows just how deceitful this whole affair has been from the start.
spyman GeoffWilson damage control -some of these people have been crucified – Colman and the RSPCA, Newson, Stewards (some were briefing lawyers about the damage to their reputations. “We are all only human lets forgive each other and move on. A couple Colman and Newson not just crucified but lost amends must be made. That’s how I read it.
Deborah555 spyman GeoffWilson PS Mike had already made amends with Grant who coped all the flak really for a decision Mike made ( I don’t have any sympathy for him of course) but Mike stood up and said I made the mistake while Grant stood quietly behind him He has also kept his position as Deputy and then the voters can decide later (not Mike’s problem then) and I think he will pay. Whilst all these people behaved like shyts to the greyhound people they did cope flak which I may add they deserved ( has the RSPCA coped a hiding) and… Read more »
Deborah555 spyman GeoffWilson The lunatic self righteous social media set seem convinced that greyhound trainers will now have to personally answer to them if one person gets done for baiting the entire industry folds – more wishful thinking about how powerful and important they are. What it really says is anyone who does will face really stiff penalties. mandatory ones. For the life of me I cannot believe how important some of these nobody’s think they are. They post bogan and scum on a website and now they have become the freaking Attorney General.
Deborah555 I agree the whole industry cannot be blamed for what an individual does,we are all responsible for our own actions and should be dealt with accordingly ,if someone is caught drink driving or speeding we are all not fined or suspended ,so the industry should not be held responsible for individuals actions ,all have been warned ,I think we can make a positive reform and enjoy our industry with a few changes to make it better ,we all need to advance to the future and embrace change and best practice and if something is not working strive towards a… Read more »
Deborah555 spyman GeoffWilson Agreed, it always makes sense to come to a settlement because at some level everyone can become a winner. I cant help thinking at some level we are all celebrating the Anglo Culture which most of us belong to. The greyhounds are very anglo and a lot of the objections to what has gone on is that the leaders were assessing things on the American culture that is only ours in parts. Australian’s lop the heads off tall poppies, if your up yourself a bit you get seriously clipped but then we always give the “victims” a soft landing.… Read more »
John Tracey Deborah555 spyman GeoffWilson Could not agree more John
John Tracey spyman GeoffWilson PS I did in my numerous emails to Mehreen point out that the vibrant diverse culture that she wants does include Anglo Australians.,
Deborah555 John Tracey spyman GeoffWilson John I also think he is going to have to do some repair work with McHugh whose reputation as one of the finest legal minds in the country who has done great things for ordinary Australians has now gone to senile old fart who tells lies. He will do that privately and I suspect the real culprit has blown any ambitions he may have had about becoming too important.
I am afraid it is bad news morning the RSPCA has got over it’s dummy spit and are joining in the game again. Like some one from that organisation would miss an opportunity for a lucrative well paid position on the reform board. Disappointing isn’t it when a conviction organisation simply gives in to the craven forces of greed. lol
Deborah555 John Tracey spyman GeoffWilson It is not a good idea in the long run to have a situation where there is a loss of public confidence in Royal Commissions and Special enquiry as they are needed to seek out things that cant be done by Courts who have to strictly follow the laws of evidence. The problem with these commissions is in their construction for ongoing actions. The court legal decisions supporting ICAC against the ex Labor Minister (Yip) proceeding shows some difficulties caused by the council assisting (so I am told by legal people reading the transcripts). In the special commission… Read more »
Deborah555 GeoffWilson Heard about tis case but cant find the legal reference do you have the prompt.
John Tracey Deborah555 spyman GeoffWilson I agree John and my philosophy has always been if you have an opportunity to settle without needing a lawyer or the courts grab it with both hands and run. Yes I think counsel assisting might be more appropriately termed counsel taking over. According to legal insiders it was always “his commission” and given its results and reputation I am happy to let him take full credit. The other 79 recommendations made I think probably were the work of McHugh and now some of them which are excellent might be taken up which will eventually restore his reputation.
John Tracey Deborah555 GeoffWilson I will see if I can find it for you or spyman might be able to help I think they know more about it than me.
Deborah555 John Tracey spyman GeoffWilson PS I think if one in particular is put in place McHugh might get hero status from the battlers.
Courier Mail has just done an article stating young people prefer punting on the dogs and wagering on the dogs has gone up since “the scandels” and greyhound racing the only racing code to make a profit. Industry in decline I don’t think so.
Deborah555 Can you please provide a reference to the breeding rates being down 50% voluntarily last year?
D123 Deborah555 It is on the GRNSW site I am sorry but being an old fart I have not quite figured out how to add a hyperlink to this site. Not the dogs the other site they have created it is under their reform agenda.
Deborah555 D123 Greyhounds Australasia has the 2015 figures of litters and greyhounds named as being relatively the same as previous years, so I am wondering how that works?
John Tracey Deborah555 GeoffWilson John that article about the RSPCA and their ties to activism are on the ABC newsite. Look under Victorian news, click more Victorian news and it is on page 6 dated the 6th October 2016 the article is headed “RSPCA’s reputation threatened by “emotional” activism, review finds.
D123 Deborah555 Everyone has a different agenda? I am sure Animals Australia has completely different figures as well. I will leave it to you to decide which ones you want to believe. I gather you are not a greyhound trainer.
D123 Deborah555 Everyone has a different agenda? I am sure Animals Australia has completely different figures as well. I will leave it to you to decide which ones you want to believe. I gather you are not a greyhound trainer and if you are an animal activist you can do your own research or just make up any numbers you like that’s what they normally do. If you are a genuine dog trainer please accept my sincere apologies.
D123 PS 123 bit unimaginative that one I liked “bad apples” at least that was a bit clever lift your game
Deborah555 D123 Firstly, I dont really know what you are talking about with the ‘bad apples’ thing.
From your response I can tell that you quite clearly are not interested in facts but instead suffer from confirmation bias.
Deborah555 What piece of legislation states that you have to report animal cruelty within 24 hours?
D123 Deborah555 Thanks for letting me know that- there is nothing I appreciate more than a rabid animal activist offering me advice.
Deborah555 D123 It wasnt advice and who said anything about animal activism. You claim these animal activists are making stuff up yet you are doing the exact same thing.
D123 Deborah555 The debate is over greyhound people WINNERS lunatic animal activists losers.
Bad Apples Deborah555 A piece of legislation that was enacted when complaints were made that the animal activists had evidence of live baiting for two months and sat on it. Did not report it to the Police and the RSPCA who could have intervened and prevented more animal deaths, no just gave it to the ABC for a bit of publicity. There is a link to it that some-one posted on this site find it yourself who do you think I am your Mother?
Bad Apples PS Don’t think just because I am a greyhound trainer that I do not care about animals. No siree when I heard that bloke had live baited a rabbit I wept to think that some one would kill a member of a rare and endangered species like a rabbit and after all they have contributed to Australian agriculture. No it is just not right. Bring back the death penalty I say.
Deborah555 D123 No not really, as when the greyhound industry fails to reform (once again) as they are already showing above, it will be quite clear that the whole industry cannot exist without killing thousands of perfectly healthy greyhounds.
Its simple numbers, NSW could never rehome 2000 ‘wastage’ (i.e. greyhounds) a year let alone 5000, so where are the greyhounds going to go?
Deborah555 Bad Apples I’m not the one making the claim Debbie. You spruik your factoids without knowing where they came from or even if they actually exist. Chinese whispers aren’t good enough Debs.
D123 Deborah555 Yes the ban is overturned and no government is going to risk that episode again for a long time. You know what happens to my old greyhounds D123- they stay with me and if you have race money you can feed the old ones as well and a lot more people will have to keep them and people will only breed the number that they can afford to keep. At one stage of my life I had 50 old ones that were fed with the 30 that raced. I also had staff to help me with them. Some of these old… Read more »
D123 Deborah555 PS there are lots of other solutions as well but I do not want to put my views on a public domain about that without discussing it with fellow trainers
Bad Apples Deborah555 I have already used it bad apples. I emailed the Guardian and a lovely woman from their London office rang me and we had a nice chat and she said give me a couple of days while I check with our lawyers and guess what the comments are gone.
Bad Apples PS the three comments I complained about are gone and I have really done some fool a favour.
Deborah555 D123 Once again we hear about how most greyhound trainers keep their dogs, once again you fail to accept the facts.
Your industry statistics say in NSW, between 2015 and 2006, 58000 greyhounds were officially named in the NSW state. Of those 58000 greyhounds, about 22000 would be of racing age or younger. So that means that 36000 would be too old to race but be younger than 11 years in age.
You say that about 21000 greyhounds all up were found by John Keniry, so what happened to the other 37000 greyhounds?
D123 Deborah555 Given that these statistics were taken over 12 years I would say a lot of them died of old age how long do you think dogs live for 123 ? Greyhounds do not live to be fifteen ( except in rare exceptional circumstances) most dogs are old at ten. Dogs die from a lot of other reasons than greyhound trainers killing them. Disease, accidents, snake bites, twisted bowels, cancer, heart attacks, No animal population gets a 100% strike rate from birth to old age on average in the wild it is about 10%. And more importantly the figure of 68.000… Read more »
Deborah555 D123 I think you are having troubles with some of the maths.
Those statistics are not taken over 12 years, they are taken over 10 years. If you reread it, I said ‘2015 – 2006’
Secondly, so you dont believe your own states racing body’s (GRNSW) records?
D123 Deborah555 No that was the stat that the McHugh commission came up with and do I believe GRNSW records of course not no one in the racing game believe their stats only the silly activists use them we all know how dodgy they would be.
Deborah555 D123 So you believe that the majority of 36000 (GRNSW recorded as named) greyhounds died of natural causes in the past 10 years do you?
So why do we have Brent Hogan in 2014 admitting to 3000 greyhounds being killed in the NSW each year? He also said around 2400 greyhounds never made it to the track.
(http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/greyhound-racing-industry-dodged-a-bullet-20140329-35q0y.html)
3000 greyhounds killed each year, equals about 30000 greyhounds in ten years.
But most of the greyhound trainers keep their dogs right?
D123 Deborah555 As to your first argument that is not what I said- I said they die of other reasons as well. The SMH is a right wing rag that hates racing because they did not get the form guides the tele did and now they have the shits because it is worth enormous amounts of money. They also have the shits because Alan Jones has more influence over the government than their silly journos. jealousy that’s all. I have no idea why Brent Hogan would say that why don’t you ask him? and given the SMH claimed it along with… Read more »
This Alliance created by the GBOTA who represent just over 1000 participants of the 6000 participants they don’t have the right to decide whats best practise for the industry, for many years they have been part of the Problems .Now they want to tell us they have the solutions,the rest of the industry looks like they wont get a say .When it comes to track closures Ah ,Ah, guess who will survive ! This reform panel is missing the person who was employed by GRNSW(Wayne Billit) to lead reform measures in the code and his reforms where taking effect and… Read more »
Deborah555 D123 PS the reason Alan Jones has influence is because he understands how the majority of Australians feel and the government knows this they are interested in VOTES not pandering to animal activists. They pandered to them and the bleeding hearts over the dogs and they will not make that mistake again.
Deborah555 D123 So you just undermined your own original statement, as you have quoted that on the GRNSW site, they claim that ‘breeding rates being down 50% voluntarily last year’ but in another breath you say that GRNSW cannot be trusted as they are dodgy.
Haha, nice one!