Greens Call For Positive Animal Welfare Outcomes From Inquiry

Paul Keating would probably call it “the the greyhound industry had to have”.  A parliamentary inquiry into greyhound racing in New South Wales was announced on August 27th this year. Some see it as a serious avenue for improvement in the sport while others fear it could all but spell the end of the industry, the only thing we know for sure is that it is happening.

Greens MP, Dr John Kaye told the Australian Racing Greyhound that “This parliamentary inquiry was borne out of community and industry concerns over serious allegations of industry mismanagement, inappropriate distribution of TAB proceeds and widespread mistreatment of dogs.” Dr. Kaye is buoyant that the inquiry can provide positive results for the industry. “This inquiry is about shining a light onto an industry that is in trouble and seeking ways to improve outcomes for all participants and the dogs themselves.”

Dr. Kaye is particularly passionate about welfare issues and believes that it is one area that there is scope for improvement in within the industry. “Greyhound Racing NSW has made some steps towards improving animal welfare outcomes, including the introduction of re-homing initiatives. However I have been made aware of allegations that the body has been unenthusiastic about lifting the lid on some of the practices in parts of the industry that would be deemed to be socially unacceptable.”

Prizemoney and the current will also form an important part of the inquiry. It is an issue that has left many industry participants disgruntled and even led to the formation of the Greyhound Action Group (GAG).

“Despite attempts by some members of parliament to exclude the Intercode Agreement from the terms of reference of the inquiry, there will be opportunities for industry participants to raise their concerns about how TAB funds are distributed between each of the codes.” Dr. Kaye said.

“This includes not just the existing split but also the circumstances under which greyhound racing signed up to an agreement that not only lasts 99 years but also now delivers 13 percent of the TAB revenue to a code that generates more than 20 percent of activity.”

argues the Intercode agreement has cost the racing code $125 million since 1998. This is a significant amount of money, and I anticipate that the inquiry will consider whether this is an equitable arrangement.”

When asked if he believed an increase in prizemoney would also assist the welfare issues Dr. Kaye said “It is hard to see how increasing prizemoney would better outcomes for those dogs that fail to win races. It may be the case that some individual owners would use increased prize money to improve the treatment of their dogs. However there is no guarantee that this would result in better animal welfare outcomes across the industry.”

One of the terms of reference in the inquiry refers to the adequacy and of data collection in the industry, including the number of pups born, the number of dogs euthanased and  injury rates. Dr. Kaye is interested in transparency when it comes to this particular point.

“I will be questioning participants in the inquiry about the regulation of breeding and the alleged over supply of pups. An important task is to break through the cloud of obscurity created by the absence of publicly available data on the number of pups born each year.” said Dr. Kaye.

“If GRNSW has the data and is refusing to release it, then there is a problem of accountability. If it does not have the data, then there is a problem of competence. If the allegations of over-breeding are substantiated, it will be up to GRNSW to explain how the current regulatory model can cope with the problem and bring down the subsequent toll of animals being discarded and killed.”

When asked if the inquiry is likely to be a shot in the arm the industry needs or a possible beginning of the end for the sport Dr. Kaye was a little more circumspect, saying “At this stage it is not possible to anticipate the outcomes of the inquiry, or what information will come to light.”

Public submissions to the inquiry close on November 6th.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
30 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Sam Collins
Sam Collins
10 years ago

A good read from what looks like a new author?
Looks like he’s asked some good questions. It looks like Dr. Kaye is hell bent on pushing the welfare issue during this inquiry. His comments on prize money seem nowhere near as passionate as his welfare ones, it’s like the Greens & GAG are fighting very different battles. It’s also interesting that some factions of parliament were wanting to exclude the intercode agreement from the terms of reference. That would have angered plenty of participants.

Martin Ebb
Martin Ebb
10 years ago

I like the way this is put together, lots of quotes that tell me that Kaye’s interest in the inquiry differs greatly to that of GAG’s. are those two parties allies? Or is one using the other? Thanks for the insight Rob.

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

Sam Collins The Government members in the upper house and the opposition members both supported the inter code agreement and rejected the recommendations of the cameron report in regard to five of its recommendation including intervention into the inter code contract on percentages to be paid to each code which subject to a set formula rather than a competitive one. The Greens interests initially were from welfare and integrity reports expressed in the herald and they attempted to have an internal type of inquiry which was self referring called a standing committee special purpose committee no 3. The problem for… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

Martin Ebb  I have made an explanation to Sam on this thread but would like to go further. The Greens are one of seven members of the select committee and have a corresponding voice. In the hurly burley of the formation of the references they joined in discussions on all points of the reference but their main interest was integrity on the Shooters who were the lobby group to the greyhound interests, to obtain the Chairman’s position which is the most prominent position inside the enquiry. I see the viability of Greyhound Racing as the fair share of the capital… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

Martin Ebb 
Sorry things keep dropping out on me and I have difficulties with edits.
The Greens main interest are on integrity at the Human and Welfare side of things and the Shooters who were lobbied by the greyhound interests holds the position as Chairman of the enquiry.

Jimmy Heddles
Jimmy Heddles
10 years ago

crack pots and green men …… more waste of tax payer’s dosh the greens all smoke and mirror’s this inquiry will get railroaded based on lie’s and someone’s own agenda

Terry Callen
Terry Callen
10 years ago

This is a chance to secure the future done the right way which I doubt very much will happen

Kylie Manson
Kylie Manson
10 years ago

Thank all the f$@kwits who vote labor in bed with the greens

Olive Oyl W W
Olive Oyl W W
10 years ago

If the owners, trainers, breeders actually “love” their dogs, then an inquiry should be welcomed by them…..unless of course they have something to hide

Mick Latter
Mick Latter
10 years ago

do what they did in victoria

Samantha Collins
Samantha Collins
10 years ago

Are the greens going to worry about the tab agreement at all? Or just welfare? Good interview whoever done this, it reveals the Greens agenda.

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

@Samantha Collins  The Greens article  is helpful to the inquiry and to the proportionate distribution of wagering. Dr Kaye refers to the increased prize money not in itself being a great welfare benefit and he has a point. There are three funds administered by the control body and they all depend on the proportion of wagering money received by the greyhounds. The funds that can a do assist animal welfare are the capital development fund and the industry assistance fund. By explanation when the raw receipts from the TAB are received a percentage of that money goes as a charge… Read more »

AaronC
AaronC
10 years ago

The end is nigh. Woop woop!

AaronC
AaronC
10 years ago

@Samantha Collins Sounds like a commitment to animal welfare is something that bothers you. Care to explain?

AaronC
AaronC
10 years ago

John Tracey Martin Ebb  Does that mean then that the Shooters party can in any way undermine the animal welfare concerns, in your view John? It seems that the Shooters party is primarily interested in furthering industry business interests, and that as a result of the investigation, the Greens will in contrast, have little choice but to question the industries legitimacy. With the Shooters chairing the committee, it looks as though the dogs will lose, regardless, and the animal welfare issues which concern probably more people than the gambling side of things, will play second fiddle. Wouldn’t everyone in the industry… Read more »

Sam Collins
Sam Collins
10 years ago

A good read from what looks like a new author?

Looks like he’s asked some good questions. It looks like Dr. Kaye is hell bent on pushing the welfare issue during this inquiry. His comments on prize money seem nowhere near as passionate as his welfare ones, it’s like the Greens & GAG are fighting very different battles. It’s also interesting that some factions of parliament were wanting to exclude the intercode agreement from the terms of reference. That would have angered plenty of participants.

Martin Ebb
Martin Ebb
10 years ago

I like the way this is put together, lots of quotes that tell me that Kaye’s interest in the inquiry differs greatly to that of GAG’s. are those two parties allies? Or is one using the other? Thanks for the insight Rob.

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

 Sam Collins The Government members in the upper house and the opposition members both supported the inter code agreement and rejected the recommendations of the cameron report in regard to five of its recommendation including intervention into the inter code contract on percentages to be paid to each code which subject to a set formula rather than a competitive one. The Greens interests initially were from welfare and integrity reports expressed in the herald and they attempted to have an internal type of inquiry which was self referring called a standing committee special purpose committee no 3. The problem for… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

Martin Ebb  I have made an explanation to Sam on this thread but would like to go further. The Greens are one of seven members of the select committee and have a corresponding voice. In the hurly burley of the formation of the references they joined in discussions on all points of the reference but their main interest was integrity on the Shooters who were the lobby group to the greyhound interests, to obtain the Chairman’s position which is the most prominent position inside the enquiry. I see the viability of Greyhound Racing as the fair share of the capital… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

Martin Ebb 

Sorry things keep dropping out on me and I have difficulties with edits.

The Greens main interest are on integrity at the Human and Welfare side of things and the Shooters who were lobbied by the greyhound interests holds the position as Chairman of the enquiry.

Jimmy Heddles
Jimmy Heddles
10 years ago

crack pots and green men …… more waste of tax payer’s dosh the greens all smoke and mirror’s this inquiry will get railroaded based on lie’s and someone’s own agenda

Terry Callen
Terry Callen
10 years ago

This is a chance to secure the future done the right way which I doubt very much will happen

Kylie Manson
Kylie Manson
10 years ago

Thank all the fkwits who vote labor in bed with the greens

Olive Oyl W W
Olive Oyl W W
10 years ago

If the owners, trainers, breeders actually “love” their dogs, then an inquiry should be welcomed by them…..unless of course they have something to hide

Mick Latter
Mick Latter
10 years ago

do what they did in victoria

Samantha Collins
Samantha Collins
10 years ago

Are the greens going to worry about the tab agreement at all? Or just welfare? Good interview whoever done this, it reveals the Greens agenda.

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

@Samantha Collins  The Greens article  is helpful to the inquiry and to the proportionate distribution of wagering. Dr Kaye refers to the increased prize money not in itself being a great welfare benefit and he has a point. There are three funds administered by the control body and they all depend on the proportion of wagering money received by the greyhounds. The funds that can a do assist animal welfare are the capital development fund and the industry assistance fund. By explanation when the raw receipts from the TAB are received a percentage of that money goes as a charge… Read more »

AaronC
AaronC
10 years ago

The end is nigh. Woop woop!

AaronC
AaronC
10 years ago

@Samantha Collins Sounds like a commitment to animal welfare is something that bothers you. Care to explain?

AaronC
AaronC
10 years ago

John Tracey Martin Ebb Does that mean then that the Shooters party can in any way undermine the animal welfare concerns, in your view John? It seems that the Shooters party is primarily interested in furthering industry business interests, and that as a result of the investigation, the Greens will in contrast, have little choice but to question the industries legitimacy. With the Shooters chairing the committee, it looks as though the dogs will lose, regardless, and the animal welfare issues which concern probably more people than the gambling side of things, will play second fiddle. Wouldn’t everyone in the industry have… Read more »