What does Paul Toole as NSW Racing Minister mean for greyhounds?
STATE Bathurst MP Paul Toole has been announced as the Racing Minister following a cabinet reshuffle which took place under new NSW's Premier, Gladys Berejiklian.
The news was met with dismay by many greyhound racing participants, with Toole on record as a supporter of former Premier Mike Baird's now defunct greyhound racing ban.
Toole voted with his coalition colleagues to bring in the ban when the Greyhound Racing Prohibition Bill passed through the lower house in early August.
Despite conversing with innocent participants who were set to lose their livelihoods, Toole ignored their pleas and voted with his party in banning the sport.
“While I strongly condemn the unacceptable treatment of greyhounds, I am concerned by the impact that the Government's decision will have on members of my community who have done the right thing,” Toole said at the time.
“Since the Government's announcement on 7 July 2015, I have met with stakeholders from across the industry, including trainers, owners, breeders, veterinarians, suppliers and members of the community who enjoy a punt, and even with people who have never been to a greyhound race in their lives.
“I have listened to their concerns. I understand and deeply regret their personal fears and their fears about the financial impact that this decision will have on them. There are strong and diverse views in my electorate and I have taken all of them on board.
“I have read every letter and the representations that have been sent to my office. I have raised those concerns directly with those involved. I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the necessary support and assistance will be forthcoming to those law-abiding members of the industry whose livelihoods are changed.
“I am committed to ensuring that there is a smooth transition and that support is provided for various circumstances.
“I acknowledge that for many in the industry greyhound racing is more than just an income, more than just a job and more than just a hobby. The greyhounds that they care for and train have become part of their family.
“The greyhounds that race represent their hard work, their passion and their life. I acknowledge also that for some greyhound owners the industry has been all that they have known. That is why I am committed to assisting my constituents to access the necessary support available through a transition process.”
Whilst Baird announced the ban would be reversed last October, there have been far reaching side effects for the government over the past few months.
In November, the Nationals Party lost the seat of Orange for the first time since 1947, with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party's Phil Donato clinching victory by 50 votes.
The massive swing against the Nationals cost former Deputy Premier and leader of the Nationals Troy Grant, who was also the former Racing Minister, his job, with the Dubbo MP stepping down as leader and replaced with John Barilaro.
Then, on January 18, Mike Baird announced his resignation as Premier and from politics effective immediately, citing family reasons for his departure.
The NSW Greyhound Racing Prohibition Bill is still yet to be officially repealed, however it is expected to happen soon after Parliament resumes for the year next month.
lone widow John Tracey spyman PS unplaced prize money of a dog for every dog. That way people could race dogs that are not that fast and still afford to feed them. Money comes from taking 10% off some of the really big races where the prize money ends up in the same few hands.
lone widow John Tracey spyman PSS go back to the days where you could nominate a dog as a wide or inside runner might cut injuries down as well.
lone widow John Tracey spyman I will try and follow this up we need to know what is the stress on the hock with greyhounds travelling fast on a straight run at various speeds as well.My understanding was that strains on the hock generally caused greenstick injuries that with constant running under pressure developed into the hock breaking down. The reduction in hock injuries could be avoided to some degree by greyhounds only galloping under pressure with a fortnights break between runs. We came to this decision to avoid having to X-Ray a greyhound after every run to pick up the start… Read more »
lone widow John Tracey spyman You must also factor in The “G” forces the Greyhound is expecting ,to do this you need to multiply this by the elevated “Gs” !
BobWhitelaw lone widow John Tracey spyman Centre of excellences by definitions (other than a public service buzz word) to be a place of learning that overcomes the disadvantage of advancements due to small entities suffering through economies of scale. The Country Clubs Association in its early deputation to the Minister for Gaming and Racing put forward a minority view that as the non tab clubs had been granted 20% of the off course wagering receipts over 99 years as a payment in the greyhound and public interest that everyone would be advantaged if the greyhounds non tab could have their money annexed as… Read more »
Deborah555 lone widow John Tracey spyman Hi Deborah, The minimalist approach to infrastructure on greyhound tracks is the way to go because the cost of OHS and maintenance is non productive if the facilities are not fully used. The mechanical greyhounds got off to a bad start by duplicating the overseas models where kennels were build to house dogs on tracks under contract to the clubs. In the early days when clubs were asked why they needed control kennels on course the main answer given was to stop trainers taking their dogs home if they drew a bad box on course. What you… Read more »
Deborah555 lone widow John Tracey spyman Hi Deborah, The minimalist approach to infrastructure on greyhound tracks is the way to go because the cost of OHS and maintenance is non productive if the facilities are not fully used. The mechanical greyhounds got off to a bad start by duplicating the overseas models where kennels were build to house dogs on tracks under contract to the clubs. In the early days when clubs were asked why they needed control kennels on course the main answer given was to stop trainers taking their dogs home if they drew a bad box on course. What you… Read more »
John Tracey Deborah555 lone widow spyman John i believe those people at the top have been the problem and if they continue down the path they have lead us, we won’t need any solutions,we will be gone. As for welfare there should be a Minister for Animal Welfare ,if the RSPCA can generate 100 million in profits each year and pay no Tax and give back to the community NOTHING!.” why not the Government “They turned a Charity into a Million dollar Business and want to criticize the Greyhound industry for their animal ethics when their own are not much better? but as… Read more »
BobWhitelaw John Tracey Deborah555 lone widow spyman The special commission report deals with performance in a narrow sense and not in structure, this was very unhelpful as you have mentioned in structural problems with Charity) . In an industrial downsizing parties will always take up personal scores initially as a human reaction. The above does not excuse poor performance but conduct can be fixed in the short term. The Parliament should have explained to racing what the original reform was really about instead of putting spin on its purpose and confusing everyone. The reform was a follow up of the Kennett reforms in Victoria… Read more »
John Tracey Deborah555 lone widow spyman John I’ve just read a letter to the Premier, the Deputy, and the racing Minister from the Australian Sports & Racing Party in respect to the Reform Panel and saying that the participants have been not been allowed to voice their thoughts to Iemma .They are claiming the Process has been controlled by our Alliance rep on the panel, and has deluded them into thinking that he is an honest man by being selective on who address Iemma. This letter to the Government is very damaging for the industry to move forward.John as i said before… Read more »
BobWhitelaw John Tracey Deborah555 lone widow spyman Thanks Bob is this letter on the public record and also have they put a submission in to the reform panel?. I would been interested in reading it. The Government Agencies normally read the various participant talk back sites as from time to time I have received comments. I have stuck to the Australian Greyhound Racing and the Roar and I read through the other sites from time to time as well. I have sent e-mails to the Alliance as well but only on structural things as I am not up to date with the actual racing.… Read more »