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.
Toole is a fool, would not know his bum from his elbow.
Todman
How stupid are we… paying them so much money to stuff us up. At least Baird is gone.
Remember this Tool ran the forced amalgamation of councils, lap dog for the Lieberals.
not much of an explanation of what it means for greyhounds…. just a history lesson.
Cant be any worse than the lefty that was in there before him
It would have been great to see the members that crossed the floor on the greyhound issue get rewarded but they made the decision realising that they lost any power base they had to progress. Hopefully the penalty will not be permanent. In the end the cabinet decided to reverse the ban. The Minister reshuffle is massive and it also involves many Ministers having reshuffled portfolio’s (different tasks within the ministers departments. The former Deputy Premier has lost most of his portfolios, including Justice, the Arts, and Racing. The recommended reforms to greyhound racing cut across many portfolio’s and Departments.… Read more »
TOOLE by name only for his sake….lol honestly,i cannot see him daring to attempt to try the same trick twice on the greyhound industry.i mean,who would anymore?BATHURST is not that far from devastated ORANGE….remnants still litter the streets. have to give him his fair chance,and from what I hear,BAIRD actually peed him off on a council decision,and would agree he wants secretly to give the god seeker the two finger signal. and now that GRANT has gone back to his POLICE MINISTERSHIP,maybe he would love the role of being let loose on those who dabble in drugs in the industry.wouldnt… Read more »
Well it appears the Nationals are slow learners. After losing the safest National seat in the country- they sack Grant and then appoint another leader who agreed with the ban. Then they give Adam Marshall ( serial traffic offender and maker of such profound statements as ” there is no drug use in the horse industry just the greyhounds” and Melinda Pavey ” yes it was a hard decision” but I went with keeping my seat and voted for the ban. Toole was also happy to follow along with the Liberals. Meanwhile Chris Gulaptis, Katrina Hodkingson and Kevin Humphries were… Read more »
Deborah555
Well said Deborah.
Yes down with the opportunists!!
True heroes Chris Gulaptis, Katrina Hodkingson and Kevin Humphries are the only ones doing the job that they are paid for.
The SS&F are standing 35 candidates in WA election on March 11. A far reaching test case.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-30/wa-election-shooters-fishers-and-farmers-party-launches-campaign/8223368
John Tracey John how could she elevate Adam John Marshall to the ministry its unbelievable this bloke over the years doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going . This Bloke has some real From ,once a member of the Labor party and at the same time a member of the Nats! A convicted Drunken driver loss of Licence for 9 months and 17 speeding fines and you say he once was a great supporter of greyhounds when he was running the Gunnedah Council he certainly went missing when we needed him when Baird ban the dogs .He once boosted to… Read more »
The SF&FP believe Toole seat , can be won in 2019 !
BobWhitelaw John Tracey Proud of you Guys beating me on research. I can remember the Member as a teenager Mayor and on the Staff of local member Draper and he was gung-ho about the greyhounds then. should quit while I am in front but this Minister is very versatile having been involved with the Nationals and Labor and working for an independent at the same time, also he could be considered for other parties as well. Maybe he should have been made minister for roads. LOL. PS. One of my brothers was born on 4th September as well, he was the… Read more »
John Tracey BobWhitelaw I’am still the mayor of Abernethy ! as for him being minister for roads he would certainly generate plenty income with his driving record , its a wonder he didn’t get the WESTCONECT gig,but then again it would only be our money he’s spending and wasting !
There is a phrase in the Bible, Daniel 5:25 I believe: “mene, mene, tekel, upharsin.” It translates roughly into the writing is on the wall and it foretold the destruction of the kingdom of Belshazzar. I don’t think the industry should be overly comfortable with the fact that the greyhound racing ban was overturned. Fifty votes is not a lot. It will only take one more atrocity against the greyhounds; one more example of innocent living creatures being treated as commodities; one more example the inherent cruelty that lives at the heart of this so called sport to come to… Read more »
lone widow Deborah555 I read that article lone widow it was interesting thanks.
BobWhitelaw John Tracey the date of birth would be where the similarity ends I think Bob. I cannot believe anyone would put their faith is this twerp surely we cannot be desperate enough to have Mr Marshall in the Ministry.
Deborah555 BobWhitelaw John Tracey Maybe there is more in this then what meets the eye, Glady’s has no man in life or that’s what she is selling us ? Fair dinkum , with his form, how does he get a GIG!
The word is, that about 600 jobs will be lost in TOOLE seat of Bathurst through the sale Country Energy by the Libs and Nats this year ..
BobWhitelaw Deborah555 John Tracey Obviously he is very ambitious and when he was Mayor he was so greyhound friendly that we thought that he wanted to end up the President of the greyhound club. He has now made an application for promotion through the Greyhound Ban Act in his drive to end up the Prime Minister. There is a distinction .. between being and ending up something. If he had the portfolio of Special Events and Tourism in Victoria he would have one of the biggest cheque books in the State. The fact that they greyhounds and tourism are regarded by the… Read more »
Bathurst is ready to lynch this bloke I will never trust him his name is mud around town. The only benefit is he will be doing what he can to put a good taste in people’s mouths so I’m sure he will throw money around like he has been doing in town for the last 2 weeks to win votes back. Maybe Bathurst will get an upgrade \U0001f602\U0001f602\U0001f602
Toole will be absolutely obliterated at the polls next election…We just have to buckle in tight for the ride till then and he will be a memory.
John Tracey BobWhitelaw Deborah555 Its not a bad idea, bringing a young smart arse with the Parramatta road sales pitch, but he’s a NAT and they are becoming obsolete .If he was to keep his promise to his mates about becoming Prime Minister he better start looking at jumping ship again lol? as for fracture of voting, agree parties like the SF&FP will win seats no doubt .
Most interest will come when Paul Toole has to react to any sections of Morris Iemma’s reforms that fall within his new portfolio. Iemma,who has only recently rejoined public life after serious health issues, will not want to be seen as another retiree delivering predetermined outcomes that please the government. As an ex premier, the man deserves respect.Rumours are that he is concerned about the long term sustainability of the industry and would like changes to occur that might seem pro greyhound. After the lesson the government was given by the media over the announcement of the ban,one would think… Read more »
Trevor afte rour meeting with Iemma, i was surprised by how little he knew about Greyhound Racing here in NSW! example he was under the impression that GRNSW conduct racing at tracks which is not the case ,the clubs do. I wonder what information our spokesperson has forward to him re participants involvement in the industry ? He did say he was looking at 6 dog fields, commercial and regulatory side be separate,but he did say that all these changes to the industry must be backed up by financial support by the Government.
We put a man on the moon surely we could put one on our Glad.
BobWhitelaw Deborah555 John Tracey There is no way she is that desperate especially given she has done rather nicely all by herself. I have no idea how he could get a gig anywhere.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/02/02/lied-greyhound-racing-didnt-review/
now,if MR. TOOLE wants some prompting and reminding of the dangers of upsetting the small industry,then this read will kick his butt a bit and get him moving in the right direction.
a very well orated article,based on truth….something majority of pollies have difficulty in obeying.its only a 4 letter word,but its a hurdle impossible for many to get over.
Trevor H I agree TREVOR….give IEMMA a chance to put it out there first.many of us are doing the usual,what ifs. we don’t know what is in store.we have to wait.
BobWhitelaw ” but he did say that all these changes to the industry must be backed up by financial support by the Government.”
I like that statement BOB……
Trevor H The Ex Premier led Labor into a forth term in Government in 2007, he was very well regarded by both sides of Parliament. his appointment will have a calming effect on the situation but he will not shirk from offering advice he regards as sound. The Government appears to have tried to take the controversy out of racing and the special event portfolios by replacing thehighly rated ex ministers in these portfolios with junior ministers. There is no special portfolio for animal welfare. The Government needs to goes back to the 1998 reforms that were essentially a consequence… Read more »
spyman BobWhitelaw YEAH, but will they ?
The Ex Premier led Labor into a forth term in Government in 2007, he was very well regarded by both sides of Parliament. his appointment will have a calming effect on the situation but he will not shirk from offering advice he regards as sound. The Government appears to have tried to take the controversy out of racing and the special event portfolios by replacing thehighly rated ex ministers in these portfolios with junior ministers. There is no special portfolio for animal welfare. The Government needs to goes back to the 1998 reforms that were essentially a consequence of the… Read more »
Some of these Alliance people make me laugh ! one has stated, that TOOLE will do the right thing and has his support ,would not be a NAT supporter by any chance ? and i wonder if he felt the same when TOOLE supported the Ban last year and we must remember “D” Day is the 1st of July and now .he’s the Racing MInister his silence is DEAFENING as far as the Greyhounds are concern
John Tracey John more then likely the reason she never took on any portfolios, is that she was a failure in some area’s , example Transport she was a big failure why do think Baird moved her on, she knows how to waste Tax payers money..No good if your the Head Baker in a bread shop and you don’t know how bake bread Hmm !.
Feel free to get in there spyman and give poor old Bluestone a bit of support…..lol
spyman I just can not believe some of the Sh*t that comes out of the mouth of some of our so called Leading Trainers ?Now one of these proven Drug cheats tested positive to using (ice) on his dogs, is saying he would like to see Mr Toole come to a Bathurst meeting and present a Trophy it would help our cause i wonder what he’s ON? The trophy could be called i supported THE BAN
spyman Nice spotting Spyman I hope the four letter word is not spin but fact. There have been over 80 replies to the article meaning that we are in for a hot time in town when the greyhound bill is debated in parliament. Also how did you go researching the tennis centre of excellence in Melbourne, Real Tennis and Coursing Started around the same time as each other and both remained an anglo sport till recent times. The French were involved early but anyone walking a greyhound and carrying a tennis racquet during the French revolution had a double chance… Read more »
BobWhitelaw John Tracey Bob nice thought association with regards a Bakers shop (making dough), I think that the problem is that you have a Head Baker in a smash repair business that is full of people who cant use a spanner but can use a Toole.
BobWhitelaw spyman uuuhhhmmmm,in a word?……….NO
John Tracey spyman a quick over view of MELBOURNE PARK and its surrounds.the costs of such a venture were on par I suppose,and I cant find anything in relation to financials stating does it show profit/s. being an old wheeler myself,i considered HI-SENSE arena a SEASONAL ACTIVITY,and if the big names did not appear,the crowds were extremely light on.the new DAREBIN COMPLEX has a better grip,but I don’t believe assoiated with same crew. you know JOHN,in that sport in particular(cycling)had a very similar situation as greyhounds have today. it was a sport that was very,very popular backwards of 90’s(track cycling I… Read more »
spyman John Tracey spyman, i guess i’m one of the old dogs, but i’m not really looking back! I don’t need flash toilets, i can squat behind my car, i don’t need an a’ la carte restaurant i can eat when i get home, i don’t need a new tab facility, i have an iphone. You can’t stage a world class cycling event if the bikes are steel framed with single gears. Similarly with greyhound racing the public will be turned away if you have up to 40 dogs per quarter breaking a leg down to unsafe tracks. However i concede… Read more »
spyman John Tracey Thanks the greyhounds are essentially about 90% participants born in Australia and mainly of anglo Saxon origin. This shows that that the greyhounds are mainly a family business. I think that 36% of people living in Sydney are born overseas but the number of Australians born here is much greater in the Country. This is why the percentage of greyhound people in the country areas has grown dramatically and the numbers in the City have declined. In the most popular days in greyhound racing the number of participants in the City was 80% but now it is around… Read more »
John Tracey BobWhitelaw i think at the next round of elections they will be annihilated and the TOOLE will be a part of that annihilation !
lone widow spyman John Tracey Lone widow, you are proving my point if you looked at the Melbourne Tennis centre of excellence you would work out that it about court surfaces, avoiding injury through repeat performances, couching etc and a host of tennis services. These are all participant based but to pay for them you need some type of external income. The income comes from p promotion and development and overseas interest. The greyhound income comes from greyhound people and they do not have much to spare so you need something else to bring in the income. The TAB battle with providing… Read more »
John Tracey lone widow spyman
Agreed John the horses have got a real jump start, we may be overshadowed if not already.
A centre of exellence with a larger one turn track will not reduce the injury rates in itself. If the remaining existing two turn tracks are retained as training facilities (trial tracks) the pre-existing injuries will not go away.
It’s going to be a hard slog.
lone widow John Tracey spyman very hard slog as you say. If one type of track is developed on a centre of excellence it could become a blueprint for other places. It sound to me as the safest track would be one that rises slightly over a full circumference Also some form of major improvement might be able to be made to the two turn tracks.(outside hare etc). Possibly if we could have mobile kennels or use hospitality rooms on horse race courses we could peg out a straight track and race on the race course. This situation used to occur in… Read more »
John Tracey lone widow spyman The American way with a racing centre with the greyhounds trained and living at the race track with a manager / trainer would greatly minimize injuries providing the track was big enough, however it would probably see an end of the hobby trainer, no Australian wants that. I mentioned track leg in a previous post where i stated that Zoom Top had the worst track leg i ever saw, it was huge but i never saw her prop in a race which is a tell tale symptom. One of my young pups has the usual track leg… Read more »
John Tracey spyman John i forgot to mention i have a calculation by ‘Gillette & Zebus’ that goes like this; Undoubtebly the increased load placed on the tarsal joint during cornering predisposes the joint to injury. By way of example, the limbs of a 30kg greyhound travelling at 17m/s on a 50 mtr radius bend experience a force of approximately 865 newtons. this equates to the hock being loaded with approx 86kg or nearly three times the greyhound’s body weight while travelling around the bend. John i don’t have a full transcript of ‘Gillette & Zebus’ findings. Perhaps you could throw… Read more »
lone widow John Tracey spyman the idea of all the greyhounds living at the track like they do in Asia, America and some of the British tracks is an awful idea. Not much of a life for the dog and would see the end of people having greyhounds as a hobby which I would hate to see happen. I agree with your ideas about engineering the tracks so they are safer for the dogs, a fair share of the tab turnover, Box 5 left empty ( I liked that idea John) and away we go. You need a couple of toilets and a… Read more »
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% of some off the really big races where the prize money ends up in the same few hands.
John Tracey lone widow spyman I would like to know if anyone has information about the Victorian greyhound racing model re the following -one or two rounds ago of the Victorian prize money distribution the GRV CEO stated that the industry was prepared to take a smaller percentage in distribution than turnover generated. In return infrastructure revenue would be forthcoming. Since then numerous tracks have received upgrades. Where is this funding coming from? It is also interesting that in the early days of the reform panel, when Baird was still premier, the only public quote released was that the panel had been… Read more »