Greyhound racing participants to form new political party
PARTICIPANTS from within the greyhound racing industry have announced plans to form their own political party in response to the state government's decision to ban the sport within NSW as of July 1, 2017.
Dubbed the Australian Sport and Racing Party, the aim will be to field candidates in the State and Federal by-elections and ultimately in the state elections in two years' time.
The Party intends to oppose the Liberals, the National Party and the Greens on the topic of the proposed ban and to give the entire racing industry a voice, particularly those within the greyhound industry in response to the ban.
The Party will also lobby for fair and equitable support and the sustainable growth for all codes of racing, with the belief being that the industry as a whole has lacked appropriate representation within the government.
The Party is the brainchild of Central Coast greyhound trainer Ray Pitstock who is a member of the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) and has been a part of the sport for over 40 years.
Pitstock said he was devastated by the decision by Premier Mike Baird and Deputy Premier Troy Grant to close down the industry, but says he has no intentions of standing by and watching as his beloved sport is torn apart.
“Unless a miracle happens the bill to ban greyhound racing is going to go through and come July 2017 greyhounds as we know it won't exist,” Pitstock told Australian Racing Greyhound.
“My aim is to get in now and get organised so that when the election does come up in 2019 we will be ready to have a crack.
“The response I have received so far has been overwhelming – we even have a leading horse trainer wanting to come on board.
“We are going to canvas and attack every Liberal, National and Green.
“We have already got two people who have put up their hand in my area (Central Coast) to have a go at Adam Crouch the member for Terrigal.
“It is disgusting the way he (Baird) has gone about doing things and his whole attitude towards the greyhound industry.”
Pitstock says the Australian Sport and Racing Party isn't just for people with an interest in the dishlickers, but for all those fearing the repercussions a ban may have on their lives.
“The party is for all people who feel as though we have been given a raw deal and don't want the same thing to happen to their industry,” he said.
“It's totally un-Australian.”
For now, the Party is focused on NSW and Pitstock plans to officially register it once he reaches the required 750 members, a target he says he will easily surpass.
“We have to get 750 members to register the Party, but the way things are going we should have that by the end of the week,” he said.
“I think it could eventually go nationwide – I am surprised by the response I have received at the moment – and I am in the process of registering an ABN number so we will be totally legal.
“I am amazed by the number of people who want to be involved.
“The Upper House is probably the easiest way of getting in, but from the reaction I have got it wouldn't surprise me if we jagged a Lower House seat.
“In a very short time we received 37,000 signatures on a petition – can you imagine the numbers we could get over the next two and a half years?”
Pitstock is aiming to ensure greyhound racing participants are given a glimmer of hope by the newly formed party, with one of its key objectives being to overturn the proposed NSW greyhound racing prohibition.
“They have got [Dr Keniry] talking about compensation – but how do you put a financial value on emotion? You can't put a dollar on it – not that I think they would consider a greyhound being worth much anyway.
“There are a lot of people affected here. It will end up affecting about 30,000 – 40,000 people once the whole thing comes into effect.
“So many people rely on the industry and it gives a lot of people – especially the elderly – a reason to get up in the morning.
“What will these people have to live for once it's been taken away?”
Pitstock is also hopeful that the Australian Sport and Racing Party will send shockwaves through to the government, delivering a message to the people at the helm that the greyhound industry won't be going down without a fight.
“Their attitude is that they have put it through and now we are going to lay down – they think we are all Labor voters so why worry about us,” he said.
“But we are not going to lay down – they are going to have a massive fight on their hands come election time.
“We are going ahead with this and we are not going to let everyone down – we will fight for the greyhound racing industry.”
To join the Australian Sport and Racing Party please download and complete the ASRP Membership form and return it to the listed mailing address.
Terrific Ray,
Now we’re in with a chance. Ray keep your guard up. Ya can’t trust em.
You are right Ray they have never understood the emotion and the passion we have for our greyhounds and greyhound racing. They thought we were just like them in it for the money. I agree most definitely as an elderly person myself -my dogs, despite not providing me with any income, are the reason I get out of bed in the morning.
Keen to join – Queenslanders OK?
This is fantastic
Deborah555 They’ll still be there if racing is not. Only difference is you won’t be training them in irresponsible ways and risking their bones and bodies for a fistful of fivers.
commendable, but early doors as yet.
would need to be convinced the person /s representing this party,are trusted and clean. BAIRDS MATES will be going over every member with a fine tooth comb.
I hear PETER MOODY needs a new angle……..lol
and what better man from the horse industry side,than PETER MOODY.
If the AJP can get a seat in the upper house with 0.8%of the Vote The Australian Sport & Racing Party will be a voice for all sporting organisation that are stood over by the Greens and Animal activist,( who believe in Bestiality ) ,as Gough Whitlam said back in the 70s ITS TIME ! we all must embark on this journey saving our freedom of what sport we wish to participate in while caring for our Animals that share our love for our sport no matter what the sport it is .
BobWhitelaw I agree Bob we cannot just let people like AJP take over the Parliament and force their views on decent hardworking people not just in sport but any type of agriculture.
The question that is being ask about this whole affair ? WHY is Grant Supporting Baird with the closure of Greyhound Racing here NSW as we know that Grants family have been involved with greyhounds . Some have said crown land grab, no that’s a diversion from what the real issue is and some believe its all about the Senior Police stuff up of the LINDT CAFE SIEGE ! At the of the day the person who is ultimately responsible for their failures is the Minister so if its found that some acted in a negligence manner they should be… Read more »
I think our greyhounds deserve our voice ..my concerns are what happens to our dogs in between the ban and the challenge?…many elderly trainers won’t be able to financially support their current dogs to wait for a ban reversal…
Saveourgreyhounds I agree totally with your sentiments but I think some of the young ones with wives and kids to feed will be in trouble as well.
BobWhitelaw This is certainly a possibility- along with the fact Grant has gone from being a decent hardworking policeman earning about the same as a teacher looking forward to a modest pension in twenty years after a life time of stress to the Deputy Premier with all its lurks and perks and power and much higher pension in two parliamentary terms ( at most 6 years) in a very short period of time as well. He would be under pressure from Baird. I think he will pay dearly for whatever reason it is. His chances of re election are getting slimmer every day.… Read more »
This Dr Keniry has said in a email he has been talking to participants and by the end of the month there will be more talks? and what do we receive a email saying delete the last one you received ,if they can not get it right at the start they never will. This bloke has been put there to drag it out to the Death , TROY GRANT people are hurting NOW !
BobWhitelaw .BOB, this KENIRY fellow is a stool pigeon. he has no idea what the greyhound industry is actually,and is lost in a sea of demands.he is just a public servant with no insight into the structure. he cannot be trusted I can assure you of that. his aim is to shut down the industry. nothing more,nothing less, and if he has too pretend to be on our side, he will do that. I say to people to pee him off. give him no information at all,as he is clueless in how to shut the industry down,and needs our opinions,thinking we… Read more »
Deborah555 BobWhitelaw don’t start feeling sorry for the old man basher. come on,push sentiment aside,and just stick to our agenda. throwing stones,not papers.
BobWhitelaw ……..whispers of BUGS in a certain office?
whispers become gusts if discovered,so one would love to know if that fly is actually a real fly…………lol(seriously)
And by sending this email to the “wrong” group” they have given all your details out without your permission. The offer of an assistance package is nonsense, help to find a job given by useless jobnetwork companies and the other assistance is beyond blue and life line what a joke!
Great Idea and can be done without the focus being taken off our dispute at present. The upper house positions in recent times have seen the first candidate on he ticket be elected being the Liberal Democrat, Darren Hinch and the animal justice party in NSW. This position is a 70 to 1 chance but you need to be in the draw to win. Fortune follows the brave.
AJP is dangerous and use false and underhanded tactics like most Pollies, to bring down people and industry. They will not stop with the dogs, the horses not only racing but farming, heavy horse and carting, will all be abolished. The Dairying industry will be challenged. They don’t want solutions they want abolition! Their policies are a great read, hop on their site, especially Animal Justice Party Victoria, and see what they want to do to our lives and environment. I’ve been banned so I can’t copy and paste their stuff anymore. I challenged them, politely, no language, just the… Read more »
dogem53 Deborah555 BobWhitelaw I don’t feel sorry for him if you sell your soul to the devil you wear the consequences.
Deborah555 BobWhitelaw ..RAY HADLEY pointed out a rather delicate situation with the LINDT CAFE stuff up.
who put the police commissioner in her role?……………MIKE BAIRD
who could have used and suggested a far better man for the job BUT DID NOT………..TROY GRANT.
whispers are rampant that BAIRDS OWN are peed off with his continual errors in positions of control.
if I was GRANT, I WOULD BE STEPPING AWAY AS FAR AS I COULD FROM HIS CURRENT BUDDY IN MIKE BAIRD.
not looking good MIKEY boy.
sinking,sinking,drowning………someone help me,please. yeah, right.
dogem53 Deborah555 BobWhitelaw I don[t think Baird thought it would be this difficult. I am sure he thought he could wipe out those bogans in tracksuits without a fight. He underestimated the passion and love people really have for their dogs and racing. Neither he nor Grant realised it would be seen as a win for animal activism not animal kindness and this effects everyone in the country areas. They would all be worried about their seats except Baird I don’t think he cares about anything and actually enjoys being hated. I have yet to see any thing resembling an emotion cross… Read more »
Tremaly I am beginning to wonder if they did that leaking of details on purpose rather than sheer incompetence. Either way simply not good enough. The worst part of all this is they will squander the alleged 30 million set aside just sending out political bullshit and travel expenses and lunch catering for the task force.
Tremaly Tremaly they would find some-one polite and intelligent more frightening than some-one abusing them. Yes they are dangerous these types of people and Baird and Grant have played right into their hands. These people could run any sort of a cult and the last thing they care about are animals. Animals Australia don’t advertise their more extreme views either about no pets and guide dogs for example. Yes we don’t want these types of people running the country.
dogem53 BobWhitelaw Who paid for the adds ?- it could be those greens in Victoria they have got themselves all cocky and confident about the ban in NSW. I have seen greens raving on in newspapers in three other states. Baird and Grant have given every wack job animal activism person in the country a shot of Viagra.
John Tracey So the animal justice party got in on the donkey vote maybe that’s why he allegedly claims we should be able to know animals in the biblical sense. God sent him a message the vision of a donkey ( and don’t you dare Bob Whitelaw add a thing to that comment I have probably gone far enough already) I read Mr Hinch was a bit upset about the fact he only got a three term spot he will not get a pension without being successfully voted in again. How sad for a man who proudly proclaims he has… Read more »
dogem53 BobWhitelaw Keniry would be following Baird’s instructions and Baird will be quite happy to see him covered in doggy doo as well while he stands there with that strange half smirk on his face dreaming of a world covered in concrete.
Deborah555 John Tracey Nothing worse than a REFORMED DRUNK ! I bet you Jackie Love could tell some stories i find him a bit of a Hypocrite ,he is always on about Child molesters and i agree they should be castrated ! But what’s the age difference between him and his latest bride?
BobWhitelaw Deborah555 John Tracey Good one Bob.
John Tracey Off to a good start the Telegraph want info on the new sports party , so it looks like we will have their support. well done Ray
BobWhitelaw Deborah555 John Tracey Apparently the latest one ( wife number approximately five I believe ) is about 36 years younger than him. He would be very attractive to any sort of gold digger really if he can get that second term some woman could live off the reversionary pension rights to the end of their days and lets be honest anyone who could put up with him probably deserves the money. Yes he should have a gaggle of supporters given his liver condition and his age if he can get that second term. No fool like an old fool.
ROLE OF THE GOVERNER GENERAL OF AUSTRALIA……….
https://www.governor.nsw.gov.au/governor/role-of-the-governor/
role of the STATE GOVERNER
Normally acts on the advice of Government but constitutional conventions do allow the Governor to take independent action under some circumstances’
I WONDER IF LYING TO CONSTITUENTS AND ABUSING THE PUBLIC PURSE ON A CONTINUAL BASIS FALLS INTO THAT CATEGORY?
WOULD SPENDING NSW’s COFFERS PURSE ON ADDS IN ANOTHER STATE THAT IS LEGALLY ALLOWING DOG RACING A CHANCE TO BE REVIEWED?
ONE NEEDS TO DECIPHER JUST WHAT IS HIS ”UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES”actually mean.
saw where the SG OF NSW office worker(?)replied to a gdata members email in the negative,that it is not part of his work load…..lol
presenting certificates for 100th birthdays,that is his limit.
…………………..IN CASE YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING BULLIED,AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO REACT…………….. http://www.workplacebullying.org/individuals/solutions/wbi-action-plan/ PLACED HERE OBVIOUSLY FOR THOSE IN CERTAIN POSITIONS WHERE THEY ARE CAUGHT IN A TRAP,AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO ERADICATE THEMSELVES FROM THE CLUTCHES, OR ARE TO CONCERNED OF KEEPING THERE JOBS. IT IS OBVIOUS WHO THIS POST IS AIMED AT. PEOPLE ARE ONTO IT NOW…..”.SAID A WHISPER CAN BECOME A GUST”. WOULD NOT WANT TO BE TRUE,THAT IS FOR SURE. WONDER HOW MANY LIKES/DISLIKES SOMEONE ON A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT WOULD CHALK UP IF ANNOUNCED BULLYING WAS A HOBBY? CAN LOSE FAVORITISM OVERNIGHT,AND THE… Read more »
They most certainly will…Many have invested a lot of money to have their dogs and they will struggle to repay huge mortgages on properties that were purchased so they could have their “extended” family members comfortable and looked after.. The promise of growth and job future promised with LNP was obviously only for non greyhound racing fraternity and business… The politics that was served up to Australian Citizens was well and truly mastered by our “money/numbers” leader’s… This wasn’t even 18 months in the making…the sheets from these beds have been slept in by quite a few bed hoppers for… Read more »
Saveourgreyhounds Yes I think we agree saveourgreyhounds that this is an act of utter bastardry not just for us greyhound people (regardless of our ages) and our dogs- but for democracy and decency in general. Yes a win for bastardry and animal activism. As well as the money there is also the passion and joy and social contact removed from everyone’s life as well.
Disgraced Former Liberal, Mike Gallagher now independent in the Upper House should be dragged to the LINDT Cafe Inquest to explain why he allowed cuts to the Police Terrorist Training Budget .How is it, that a person who parades as a honest politician still loyal to Master Baird. and the Key to the Upper House vote against the Greyhounds,was allowed to keep his job. The trade off was the council amalgamation deal done with the Greens, Animal Justice Party and Gallagher the so called independent ( ex copper to ).
I see that DR. KENIRY,the slasher, is visiting country regions to discuss issues concerning the shut down of the industry. what everyone needs to be alerted is when he discusses financial assistance and advice. ”the clue is that HE, KENIRY,”will be making recommendations” to BAIRDS GOVERNMENT in how best the industry be shut down,and what actions need to be taken to make sure it is a smooth process. this covers all areas associated with the industry. now,when confronted by the SLASHER, if you are lucky enough to meet him on one of his sojourns around the zones, ask is it… Read more »
……………………………….GREENS PLAN FOR GREYHOUNDS FUTURE………………………….. http://nsw.greens.org.au/news/nsw/greens-launch-animal-welfare-plan-greyhounds-currently-nsw-racing-industry HERES YOUR BEST FRIEND DEB………..MARUQUI…..to lazy to spell her name right. what pees me off, why take away from owners, older dogs that are retired and living safe and comfortable with present owners? that is cruelty to animal and human……so what is there to gain from doing that? they can never race again? they can be DE-SEXED to stop any doubts if they will be bred with. be bastards, but do not be soul destroyers. you make your point clear, but you attempt to remove older dogs from safe homes,you are murderers of the… Read more »
Still waiting for the Justice department to get back to me to assist with the retired racers with food for them .With no income its battle to feed these lovely dogs , at the moment i’am collecting left overs from restaurants around town to feed them, and i’am dinning out in the Soup Kitchen here in Cessnock. Thank you Mike and Troy for this way of life that’s been forced onto me and thousands of others around NSW, maybe you could both drop down to the Soup Kitchen and see what its like in the REAL WORLD, but i won’t… Read more »
Greens to campaign for national Greyhound racing ban Posted August 18, 2016 by Christopher Harris & filed under City News. BY LUCAS BAIRD The Greens have drafted plans to ban Greyhound racing Australia wide after the NSW Government’s controversial ban of the industry passed parliament last week. The Greens’ welcomed the “historic” blanket ban on the sport after it passed the NSW Legislative Council on August 11 and said it was “sad” to see the Labor Party attempt to prevent the reforms. However, Greens’ animal welfare spokesperson, Senator Lee Rhiannon indicated that they would now turn their attention to other… Read more »
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/sep/30/the-rise-and-rise-of-barangaroo-how-a-monster-development-on-sydney-harbour-just-kept-on-getting-bigger
seems all to familiar.
the rich get richer,the rest can go and get stuffed. who cares about the POOR LITTLE FELLOW.
this is what will happen eventually to the WENTY PARK AREA and its surrounds.
that BAIRD needs looking into. as does JAMES PACKER and his ASIAN COHORTS.
Adam Marshall National Party member (or so he claims) is telling Barnaby Joyce to back off. Must be desperate for press the only other time he has appeared in the papers is about his drink driving and speeding charges. “I love animals so much I am prepared to drive pissed and over the limit to save them.” Unbelievable this bloke is not just in bed with the greens he is one. Not exactly a smart move in a rural regional seat.
Deborah555 .deb, he has SMALL MANS SYNDROME.
because he is tiny in body&mind,he feels he needs to act bigger than the good lord gave him………tells his wife he is big. she is still waiting for evidence.
TOM CRUISE has the same issue…..
dogem53 Deborah555 I just cannot believe anyone is this politically stupid. Attacking Barnaby Joyce who is doing great stuff for agriculture and country life and very much appreciated by the Federal government who knows without the National Party they would not have won the last election and this twerp obviously desperate for press steps in and tries punching well above his weight.
Deborah555 dogem53 this is BAIRDS new youth movement in parliament. get rid of the old,and bring in diaper babies. wet behind the ears,but will do anything the lord and master says.
If I was bairds missus,i would be asking mikey boy his whereabouts……regulalry
Weakening the parties that already support us is stupid.
WA Premiere Colin Barnet has already made an unsuccesful attempt to resume either Ascot or Belmont racecourses claiming Perth could easily conduct all race meetings on one track.
If the racing industry in NSW thinks that the real estate at Randwick is worth nothing or the real estate at Rose Hill is worth nothing or the real estate at Warwick Farm is worth nothing to Baird then they need their heads read.
All the racing codes need to be seen to be fighting against this closure.
dogem53 It is to be expected that the greens have become emboldened – although a reply to this woman suggested that rather than compiling the lists of missing greyhounds she might start concentrating on important issues like unemployment and economic policy. All just looking for a bit of press. None of their other policies get any.
It’s vital the Party gets around soon to formulating an ‘attack policy’ aimed at vulnerable NSW Liberal MPs. Those holding marginal seats, no matter which area, should be the political targets. The Party needs to amass a mountain of evidence revealing the calamitous economic effect of the ban – personal stories of people going broke, losing business and homes, and this need not be restricted to owners and trainers but to business people whose living relies on supplying the industry with goods and services. The MPs who stand to lose the most are those in the marginals – they are… Read more »