Parliamentary Inquiry Puts Pressure On GRNSW

The daggers are being thrown in every possible direction within the NSW Greyhound Racing Industry at present. With the upcoming pressure of the Parliamentary , it seems everyone is trying to find someone to blame for the state of the sport.

The Greyhound Action NSW (GAG) was the driving force behind the inquiry which was moved recently by Greens MP, John Kaye.

The inquiry is set to target the binding that dictates prize money distribution between the three racing codes and the alleged mismanagement by the controlling body of Greyhound Racing in the state, Greyhound Racing New South Wales (GRNSW).

GRNSW were contacted for their perspective on the upcoming inquiry. The one thing it seems that everyone can agree on, including GRNSW, is that the inter-code agreement needs to be amended for the financial longevity and sustainability of the industry. However, GRNSW feel that this should be the primary focus rather than tackling the allegations of mismanagement suggested by the GAG as well as the welfare scandals insinuated by Kaye.

GRNSW Chief Executive stated the following,

“As previously mentioned, GRNSW believes that the main focus of the parliamentary inquiry should be on the TAB funding model”

“Reforming the current TAB funding model is critical to the economic viability of the sport in NSW as the current arrangements between thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing do not reward efficiency, innovation or growth”

“The fixed percentage structure of allocating TAB distributions among the racing codes may have been sustainable in the context of the stable and protected industry that existed 15 years ago, but the forces of competition, combined with the advancement of technology and the burgeoning market, have rendered these arrangements a threat to the racing industry as a whole”.

With the inquiry also focusing on , GRNSW are concerned about the negative implications that this may have on the image of the industry.

“Unfortunately in the days since the inquiry was launched we have had no mention of the TAB funding model and instead seen headlines in mainstream news services such as “Greyhounds Killed, Starved, Drugged: MP” (news.com.au 28/8/13), “Greyhound Racing Riddled with Drugs” (The Australian, 29/8/13, page 2), “Greyhounds Scandals Inquiry” (Daily Telegraph, 29/8/13, page 20)”

“These damaging headlines followed Dr Kaye issuing a press release containing scurrilous and baseless claims about the integrity of the sport and those who participate in it together with the standards of animal welfare in the sport”.

“Allegations made without any fact, such as those made by Dr Kaye, will do little to help the industry and will only tarnish the reputation of the greyhound racing industry in NSW as well as all the participants that take part in this great sport”.

With GRNSW obviously concerned that the image of the industry may be tarnished throughout the inquiry, it is worth mentioning an allegation brought forward by the GAG in the article, Greyhound Action Group Respond to Parliamentary Inquiry. In the article, GAG President Dennis Carl claimed that Mr Hogan released a false figure regarding the number of greyhounds destroyed each year (3,000) on National Television.

When asked for comment on this, no response from GRNSW was forthcoming. With so much speculation and a plethora of shifty allegations flying around, it is peculiar that GRNSW did not respond. If they are at all concerned about the image of the industry and any false accusations that are being made, one would think that they would be anxious to clear this matter up, regardless of whether the figure was right or wrong. By ignoring the issue, it does not make it go away. Rather it adds to the growing concerns that GRNSW is not communicating with participants and is leaving them in the dark on the important topics facing the industry. When asked for the correct figure, again, GRNSW did not respond.

Remaining on the welfare issue, Kaye has highlighted to the GAG that his welfare plight will be mainly targeted at professional trainers, rather than hobby trainers. This is rather bamboozling, as one would think that the welfare standards would be uniform across the board. GRNSW did in fact respond to this issue

“Another concern GRNSW has is the fact that some participants are trying to create division within the industry by seemingly trying to pit so-called ‘hobby trainers' against so-called ‘professional trainers'”.

“The claim made by this small group of participants is once again based on no facts or supported by any evidence”

“GRNSW has a zero tolerance for trainers who do not meet our animal welfare standards, no matter what the size of their operation is. To suggest that larger trainers have to meet lesser standards compared to those imposed on hobby trainers is ridiculous”

“Any trainer found ending the life of a greyhound in an inhumane manner or mistreating greyhounds in their care is not welcome in our sport. They would not only be violating the rules of greyhound racing and our , but would also be committing a criminal offence under the NSW Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act”.

GRNSW went on to elaborate on their approach to animal welfare initiatives

“Looking to the future, GRNSW is committed to improving the welfare of greyhounds in NSW through a raft of reforms”

“Among the reforms is the establishment of the GRNSW Greyhound Welfare and Veterinary Services Unit which employs four full-time veterinary surgeons and a animal behaviourist whose primary responsibility is to oversee the welfare of greyhounds transitioning to life as a pet”

“This financial year GRNSW will invest $1.3 million on greyhound welfare initiatives. This includes funding for the establishment of a new Education and Support Unit to help drive welfare improvements in the greyhound racing industry”

“The unit will build on the current pilot education program – Certificate II in Greyhound Racing – which is being run by GRNSW, Hunter TAFE and the NSW Department of Education and Communities”

“In addition, GRNSW is working with and the other State bodies to draft national welfare guidelines”

“This parliamentary inquiry has the fact that the welfare of greyhounds is a very serious issue for the wider community and as a result GRNSW is committed to announcing further welfare initiatives in the coming months.”

With much of the focus of the upcoming inquiry on GRNSW there is no doubt that they will be feeling the pressure. Despite taking positive steps forward in regards to welfare issues, many participants are still becoming disillusioned by the governance and management of the controlling body. Whether you agree with the upcoming Parliamentary Inquiry or not, there is a large percentage of the industry that feels as if it is time that the actions of GRNSW are reviewed. Perhaps nothing will change dramatically within GRNSW as a result of the Inquiry however; it may assist to restore faith in the organisation for those who feel that the industry has lost its ways.

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JIMMY HEDDLES
JIMMY HEDDLES
10 years ago

THE INQUIRY  MIGHT BE UP AND RUNNING   BECAUSE   A   WINGING   GREEN   CLOWN  ,  ARRRR DID  ANYONE  NOTICE  WE HAD A CHANGE OF  FED GOVERMENT  SAT  AND   YOU CAN BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR  THAT  WILL PUT THE BRAKES ON  THE DO-GOODER’S   HERE    AND THEN   UPPER CRUST      CAN  ALL GET   REAL JOBS

AaronC
AaronC
10 years ago

No mention of the euthanasia of healthy young greyhounds simply because they don’t win? Now therein lies the problem. A New Zealand investigation discovered that 3 out of four greyhounds introduced to racing, cannot be accounted for.
Now where might those thousand or so greyhounds introduced to racing in NZ every year disappear to then…?
Multiply by 10 and apply to NSW

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

Katherine, The greyhound racing wil feel sad if the Australian Greyhound Racing does not make a submission to the enquiry as the group contains most of the investigative journalists in the racing. The welfare question is always emotive and I hope that the enquiry will not put much weight on submissions which are frivolous  or  vexatious because no matter how committed people may be from the heart people need to be balanced. The problem always with welfare matters is that the public spend and inheritances which go to the most deserving welfare groups  may be diverted to groups that are… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

Sorry my post should read 4 million dogs. in Australia.
The 1.3 million invested in greyhound welfare which is additional to other spends by the authority for welfare purpose is proportional to a two hundred million grant Nationally to the RSPCA in additional dog care alone and unlike other states the money is prize money sacrifice from the NSW greyhound racing community and not the use of general public funding.
Is there a way to correct my precious post.

AaronC
AaronC
10 years ago

John Tracey Thoughts on overbreeding/overpopulation, resultant culling practices?

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

@AaronC John Tracey  The number of greyhounds that race in NSW has reduced from 24,000 in the earlier times to about 9,000 today for roughly the same number of races per year. NSW is a net exporter of greyhounds and the other states are net importers. This is why you need to be careful with comparing raw figures. The cost of racing compared to prize money has reduced overtime but it is shared by only 9,000 greyhounds instead of 24,000. The big cost is in preparing a dog to race. In the past most of the time were dogs in holding… Read more »

Sam Collins
Sam Collins
10 years ago

It’s confusing reading the 2 sides of the story. Participants seem mainly worried about TAB distribution whereas the Greens are worried about animal welfare.
It will be interesting to see which ones recieve most weight in the inquiry.

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

Sam Collins 
Sam the agenda of any inquiry depends on the number of submissions received, the probative value and the items addressed. The submissions received show the public interest. All Government enquiries are public interest enquiries.

Thetruth
Thetruth
10 years ago

Aaron why don’t you come clean and reveal yourself as the Kiwi based anti-racing campaigner you are?

Thetruth
Thetruth
10 years ago

@AaronC  
So despite John Tracey answering your question above that roughly 9000 greyho

Thetruth
Thetruth
10 years ago

@AaronC Despite John Tracey answering your question above that  roughly 9000 greyhounds race in NSW every year, by your quote below you claim 10000 disappear in NSW every year.  “Now where might those thousand or so greyhounds introduced to racing in NZ every year disappear to then…? Multiply by 10 and apply to NSW” Don’t let the truth stand in the way of your agenda buddy. Your numbers simply don’t add up. You sell spin and lies because to tell the truth doesn’t suit your deluded agenda. Why don’t you reveal yourself? For those who don’t know Aaron is an… Read more »

JIMMY HEDDLES
JIMMY HEDDLES
10 years ago

THE INQUIRY  MIGHT BE UP AND RUNNING   BECAUSE   A   WINGING   GREEN   CLOWN  ,  ARRRR DID  ANYONE  NOTICE  WE HAD A CHANGE OF  FED GOVERMENT  SAT  AND   YOU CAN BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR  THAT  WILL PUT THE BRAKES ON  THE DO-GOODER’S   HERE    AND THEN   UPPER CRUST      CAN  ALL GET   REAL JOBS 

AaronC
AaronC
10 years ago

No mention of the euthanasia of healthy young greyhounds simply because they don’t win? Now therein lies the problem. A New Zealand investigation discovered that 3 out of four greyhounds introduced to racing, cannot be accounted for.

Now where might those thousand or so greyhounds introduced to racing in NZ every year disappear to then…?

Multiply by 10 and apply to NSW

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

Katherine, The greyhound racing wil feel sad if the Australian Greyhound Racing does not make a submission to the enquiry as the group contains most of the investigative journalists in the racing. The welfare question is always emotive and I hope that the enquiry will not put much weight on submissions which are frivolous  or  vexatious because no matter how committed people may be from the heart people need to be balanced. The problem always with welfare matters is that the public spend and inheritances which go to the most deserving welfare groups  may be diverted to groups that are… Read more »

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

Sorry my post should read 4 million dogs. in Australia.

The 1.3 million invested in greyhound welfare which is additional to other spends by the authority for welfare purpose is proportional to a two hundred million grant Nationally to the RSPCA in additional dog care alone and unlike other states the money is prize money sacrifice from the NSW greyhound racing community and not the use of general public funding.

Is there a way to correct my precious post.

AaronC
AaronC
10 years ago

John Tracey Thoughts on overbreeding/overpopulation, resultant culling practices?

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

@AaronC John Tracey  The number of greyhounds that race in NSW has reduced from 24,000 in the earlier times to about 9,000 today for roughly the same number of races per year. NSW is a net exporter of greyhounds and the other states are net importers. This is why you need to be careful with comparing raw figures. The cost of racing compared to prize money has reduced overtime but it is shared by only 9,000 greyhounds instead of 24,000. The big cost is in preparing a dog to race. In the past most of the time were dogs in holding… Read more »

Sam Collins
Sam Collins
10 years ago

It’s confusing reading the 2 sides of the story. Participants seem mainly worried about TAB distribution whereas the Greens are worried about animal welfare.

It will be interesting to see which ones recieve most weight in the inquiry.

John Tracey
John Tracey
10 years ago

Sam Collins 

Sam the agenda of any inquiry depends on the number of submissions received, the probative value and the items addressed. The submissions received show the public interest. All Government enquiries are public interest enquiries.

Thetruth
Thetruth
10 years ago

Aaron why don’t you come clean and reveal yourself as the Kiwi based anti-racing campaigner you are?

Thetruth
Thetruth
10 years ago

@AaronC  

So despite John Tracey answering your question above that roughly 9000 greyho

Thetruth
Thetruth
10 years ago

@AaronC Despite John Tracey answering your question above that  roughly 9000 greyhounds race in NSW every year, by your quote below you claim 10000 disappear in NSW every year.  “Now where might those thousand or so greyhounds introduced to racing in NZ every year disappear to then…? Multiply by 10 and apply to NSW” Don’t let the truth stand in the way of your agenda buddy. Your numbers simply don’t add up. You sell spin and lies because to tell the truth doesn’t suit your deluded agenda. Why don’t you reveal yourself? For those who don’t know Aaron is an… Read more »