Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party launching greyhound branch
SHOOTERS, Fishers and Farmers Party MLC Robert Borsak is calling on all NSW greyhound racing participants to get behind its new greyhound racing branch which will be holding its inaugural meeting later this month.
The new branch will provide greyhound participants with a direct voice to the government and will also play an integral part in helping the SFF party with developing policy, raising funds and keeping its elected members up to date on issues surrounding the industry.
With the NSW state elections set to be held in March 2019, Borsak said it is important for the new branch to be established now so important issues can be addressed.
“We've been on this road with greyhound racing for four or five years now, but we've still got a long way to go,” Borsak told Australian Racing Greyhound.
“Hopefully after the election we'll be in a strong position to put some pressure on [the government] to help the industry in its next phase and hopefully get some decent revenue in place.”
The meeting will be held at 11am on Saturday February 24 at Club Wyong. Speakers will include NSW Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party State Director Filip Despotoski, Borsak and State Member for Orange, Phillip Donato.
As a part of the meeting, an election will be held to appoint the committee on the day. To join the branch and the committee, you must be a member of the SFF Party, however discounted memberships will be available on the day.
“We don't know enough about the industry in a lot of ways, but the branch will give us a clear communication stream to NSW greyhound racing and we will be able to find out details of what's going on and what needs advocating,” Borsak explained.
“It's important for us to know the main issues when we are going in to bat for the industry.”
Borsak is optimistic the Shooters, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party will play a prominent role within parliament after the election, believing his party represents the bush better than the Nationals.
“You couldn't represent rural people any worse than the Nationals regarding their support of the greyhound racing ban.
“If ever there was ever an industry which is rural or regionally based in NSW it is greyhound racing and they voted to shut it down – you just wonder what planet these people are on.
“We want to provide an alternative party for people to support. We are going to campaign in most of the National Party and Liberal Party seats in the bush and a few in Sydney.
“The greyhound racing branch will also play an important role in our campaign – hopefully it can assist with fundraising and supporting us during the election because obviously we are going to need as many people as we can [get] helping right across the state.”