Kevin Humphries on ban: confirms he will ‘cross the floor’
BARWON MP Kevin Humphries has spoken out in support of the New South Wales greyhound racing industry at a press conference held at the AgQuip Field Day in Gunnedah.
Humphries, whose electorate encompasses approximately 44 per cent of the state, slammed the Government for its decision to push for a ban on the sport.
“I didn’t join the National or Coalition Party to support the Greens policies or a minority group‘s policy,” Humphries said.
“In 10 years as a local member and an ex-minister within Government I have got a pretty good idea of how the system works and this is not good process.
“We have been a good Government up until this point, but not on this issue – we don’t leave people behind.
“I don’t think [the ban] has been well thought out at all.
“If the current legislation progresses, basically all they are doing is pushing a problem, or a perceived problem, elsewhere – I don’t think that’s fair.”
Humphries said he has proposed a three-year moratorium to be considered in order to give the industry a chance to show it is capable of reform.
“There is opportunity to step up… I have put forward a three-year time space to work with the industry to make sure it gets back on track.
“The McHugh report was based on pre-2015 outcomes and a lot of what he has said has been withdrawn – he basically has said that the report was never set up to shut down the industry – it was something to be used on the basis of reform.
“Whilst there needed to be some fundamental change within the industry… the breeders, owners and trainers were well on the way to achieving those outcomes.
“To say that the industry has not made significant gains in the last 12 months is clearly not true.”
Humphries said the ban would have an unjust and far reaching effect on many communities within the state, particularly in regional areas.
“If you look back at what the industry has done, many of those people can be very very proud of what they have achieved.
“I think they have been unfairly treated, the decision making process has been in haste, I don’t think that proper due diligence has been done on the industry to access not just the economic impacts of 15,000 people directly, but the social impacts of what a loss or a ban of this industry means for the broader community, particularly in our country and regional communities.”
Humphries said some of the key assumptions used to back the ban are flawed and stated he has fears for the future of the National Party if the legislation is passed through the Parliament.
“I don’t accept that the viability of the industry is in trouble – this industry is profitable and contributes to the community in so many ways.
“It’s poisonous, particularly for National Party members, when our constituents have spoken against [the ban].
“What’s next?
“The reality is we have opened up a Pandora’s box on this issue, it needs to be put back in the box, the legislation needs to be taken off the table and more consultation needs to take place.”
Humphries said he will cross the floor if required to show his support for the good people within greyhound racing.
“I won’t be supporting the legislation to ban the industry, my colleagues know that…the leadership within the Coalition know that and if I have to cross the floor if that legislation is tabled, not only will I cross the floor but I will speak in support of the greyhound industry and why I am not supporting the ban.
“The precedent for this is significant and I think members of parliament from all walks of life realise that.
“I know a number of my colleagues have been quite public about their support for the greyhound industry and they don’t support that ban – I would expect that support to continue.”
What’s next?
“The reality is we have opened up a Pandora’s box on this issue, it needs to be put back in the box, the legislation needs to be taken off the table and more consultation needs to take place
can it be done though?
someone has to convince BAIRD to ease up,and give that moratorium.
people are working on plans to secure welfare etc;,but somehow BAIRD wants it rushed through and out of the way.
HUMPHRIES needs to get more support and more floor walkers.
get to it me lad.
Kevin Humphries is a great bloke who works tirelessly for his electorate and is a voice of reason and has the intelligence to see this goes far beyond the dog track. Thank you Kevin.
dogem53 With respect Dogem Baird will never change his mind and how about a bit of praise for those who are doing the right thing by us. In John’s absence -you need to calm down a little bit. I know you are enthusiastic but praise when praise is due.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/dead-greyhound-wee-fire-named-in-tasmanian-greens-list-is-living-happily-in-retirement/news-story/eea8da3c626b5ec0fbd39bb53daf443a
HERE IS THE AORTA WE HAVE BEEN SEEKING.
THIS IS A BLOODY DISGRACE AND ATTENTION NEEDS TO BE DRAWN TO IT AND USED AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW PATHETIC THE GREENS ARE.
QUOTE….” IT IS HARD TO GET ACCURATE DETAILS ON WHAT IS ALIVE OR DEAD”…
this is damn outright slander to the owners,the industry and people in general.
this stupid woman has made a dick of herself,and that PANDORAS BOX,has just re-opened.
KP, follow up on this one mate.
mad. I am seething right now. seething.
Greens MP Andrea Dawkins………..you idiot and filthy liar.
“Getting information about greyhounds who have died or are missing is challenging,” the MP said.
“It’s unfortunate we are forced to rely on the information compiled by animal welfare activists.”
oh lord, give me a tranquiliser. I am going off my f…. head here.
HUGH.DAVE.ARON…………COME OUT.COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE…..come face me.
that statement alone is a catalyst for revenge.the RAY HADLEYS of the world will be onto this. that GREENS POLLY WACKER will be inundated now. good luck chick,BAIRD may send you a PLEASE EXPLAIN HOW YOU CAN STUFF UP WHAT I TRAINED YOU TO SAY…..
Deborah555 dogem53 .huh?
I am siding with HUMPHRIES DEB. read it again!
I said He needs more support to cross the floor. in other words,more pollies to cross over with him.cant do it on his own.
Deborah Kevin Humphries is one of just a very few politican that care about their constituency. I for one could say i am proud to have been able to work with him back in 2008 CEO Hogan put forward a controversial draft proposal to cut back NON-TAB racing across NSW . Now Kevin with Reps from his clubs went to the MInister Graham West and was blunt We’re not taking any cut backs and urged all effected clubs to “file a shot, sharp ” submission to GRNSW as well garner… Read more »
Andrea Dawkins MP
Bass Electorate Office
Level 1, Henty House, 1 Civic Square Launceston
03 6324 2040
[email protected]
I WOULD BE SENDING A PLEASE EXPLAIN EMAIL TO MADAM DAWKINS AFTER HER DISASTROUS ATTEMPT IN STUFFING UP ON A SUPPOSED DEAD GREY.SHE IS AT IT AGAIN WITH FACTS AND FIGURES OF DEAD DOGS OVER CERTAIN PERIODS. BETTER HAVE HER FACTS RIGHT FOR HER SECOND ATTEMPT AT DESTROYING TASMANIAS INDUSTRY.I CAN SEE THAT THE NEXT STATE FOR ATTACK IS TASMANIA.
dogem53 I have been watching the response to this and I think it is backfiring. There is a saying “if you give some people enough rope they can sometimes hang themselves.”
I think aside from the social media nut job AA set others appear to be wondering just what this woman is doing when she is being paid to help run Tasmania. We will keep an eye on her though.
BobWhitelaw Yeah he’s a good bloke and some of the others are good people too Katrina Hodgkinson has been speaking out right from the start and Peter Phelps he’s a top bloke as well. These people are astute and intelligent enough to know this decision goes far beyond the dog track. The greens are just drunk on their own moral self importance to actually do anything useful in any area of politics and this shot in the arm from Baird has seen them coming out of the woodwork like cockroaches all over the country – do any of them actually… Read more »
Truth in political advertising Many public complaints regarding political advertising raiseissues about the truth and accuracy of the advertisement, in particularconcerns that the advertising is misleading. The Advertising Standards Boardconsiders complaints under Section 2 of the Code of Ethics, which does notcover matters of truth and accuracy. The ASB ordinarily refers public complainants with concernsabout the truth or accuracy of advertisements to the Australian Competition andConsumer Commission (ACCC) or the State/Territory consumer affairs/fair tradingbody. However, although these organisations deal with claims of false and misleadingadvertising, their jurisdictions are limited to matters involving trade andcommerce and do not extend to political… Read more »
Like most Politicians Australians are Brain Dead.Most Australians around 43% believe other medal-winning Sports required far more Federal Cash to a achieve success, Now lets look at the cost and the damage to our pockets and the cost of the sports to get to Rio over the last 4 years ! Archery,1 medal government Funding .5mil, Athletics 1*medal mil, (*means still under way) Basketball medals 0 * mil, Boxing Medals 0 .4mil, Canoeing medals 1* mil, Cycling medals 2* mil Diving medals 1* 8.4mil Equestrian medals 1* .4 mil, HERE’S the best one GOLF medals won 0 mil the riches… Read more »
the look of shock. oh my god,you refused me? you refused me?
karma. such a peaceful start to a day.
BobWhitelaw .bob. it is well known,we are minnows in a large set of oceans. we are damned if we do,and damned if we don’t. yes, we can vote parties in to power,based on political promises,and then the same thieves take away the promises and sell us all short. and so the cycle of political jousting begins again. bob, not sure if you served in the forces,but honestly,how many men and women,would have preferred we stay out of wars? and if you abstained from national service,you would be charged. damned if you do,damned if you don’t. just minnows in a world… Read more »
BobWhitelaw Yes there are some strange ideas in the community about racing costing the taxpayer money when the truth is it pours money into government coffers. The other day some AA twit ( and what the hell it had to do with racing was beyond me) stated that smokers cost the health system 7.6 billion dollars when that is what they actually contribute to the government in taxes) and their health costs considerably less. That’s the trouble with social media fake book – everyone is a legend. I don’t mind money tax payer funding sport even though I am not… Read more »
http://www.harnessracingupdate.com/2016/08/19/today-gone-tomorrow/#.V7dvwtJjFAd.facebook
couple more readings. one on mikey dikey baird.
the other,another view of what has taken place in NSW, by the HARNESS INDUSTRY in USA..worth a look and a view from the other codes overseas on what has taken place.
JAMES QUINLIVIAN I BELIEVE IS AUTHORS NAME. What if I was borninto an Islamic family. I grew up as a Muslim. I went to a Muslim school andprayed to Allah 5 times a day as my religion demands. My wife wore a scarf overher head. In Australia, my Government would welcome me. What if I was born a homosexual. I never had any sexualinterest in girls when I was young. I discovered love for another man. In Australia, my Government would encourage me. What if I was refused a job because I was an Aboriginal. OrAsian or African. Or Female.… Read more »
Looks like Kevin will be on his own in the Lower house ?
BobWhitelaw If he is then a few of them have miscalculated how far this proposed ban has gone. People in any area of country life and agriculture are concerned. What next?
The National Party seats must be in jeopardy and if they think people will forget about it all in the next two years I think they are kidding themselves.