The Hunter reacts as greyhound ban lifted

BY JACINTA LEE

There have been mixed reactions in the Hunter to news the greyhound racing ban has been lifted statewide.

It follows from Premier Mike Baird's announcement yesterday he "got it wrong," after signing off on a plan to reverse the decision.

Local trainer Bob Whitelaw said he welcomes the backflip, but he claims the government's image has been tarnished.

"I think he's done himself a lot of damage and done the government a lot of damage. I've got no doubt about that," he said.

"It's good to see that the Premier has admitted he was wrong."

Meanwhile, Scot Macdonald, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, says the NSW government intends to take a hard line with the industry from here on out.

"This is not a free hand for the industry," he said. "There are very, very high expectations about the greyhound industry and how it conducts itself going forward."

Premier Poised To Rethink Greyhound Racing Ban

BY IAN CROUCH

 Hunter greyhound owners and trainers facing the loss of their industry look set to be thrown a lifeline.

Premier Mike Baird is expected to announce a backdown on parts of the greyhound racing ban in the face of a voter backlash and assurances from the industry the mass slaughter of dogs will stop.

The Daily Telegraph says he'll extend a trial period for racing in the state tomorrow while introducing tougher industry standards.

But, Greens MP, Mehreen Faruqi says she's sceptical about the industry's assurances.

"Historically, the industry has given guarantees before and not reformed, and one of these guarantees was actually a commitment to greater transparency and improving animal welfare. They gave this guarantee for 10 years, but nothing improved," she said.

Mehreen Faruqi

However, Labor MP for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery is calling on the Premier to go a step further and overturn the ban on the greyhound racing industry, saying the decision was rushed and will ultimately cause enormous damage to the local economy, with greyhound racing contributing $17.69 million to the Wallsend economy each year.

More than 6000 people in Wallsend signed a petition calling on the government to overturn the ban, with more than 37,000 signing it across NSW.

"It is clear from consulting the community that a clear majority of people want the ban overturned," she said.

Sonia Hornery

Hunter greyhound racers concerned following passing of ban

BY JARROD MELMETH

Hunter greyhound trainers are considering their futures after legislation banning the practice was passed in parliament in the early hours of this morning.

Debate in parliament went for almost 12 hours with three National Party MPs crossing the floor in protest. The Baird Government eventually passed this bill 49 votes 30 at around 4am this morning.

The bill had previously been passed in the Upper House following a similar lengthy debate.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald said it was a difficult decision but the outcome is favourable.

"We've got a responsibility to look at it on a statewide basis and the industry had been given many opportunities to reform itself." 

"But, it was proven time and time again that the element in the industry that was leading the industry was determined to deceive the government, the regulators, the RSPCA and even their members."

Member for Wallsend Sonia Horney who earlier in August presented a petition of 37,000 signatures opposing the ban said, the economic impacts that will follow the closure of The Gardens racetrack in Wallsend is concerning.

"The economy of Wallsend is going to loose about 17.6 million dollars a year once The Gardens is taken away from our community."

Kevin Gordon from the Alliance of Greyhound Racing said, the impacts of the ban go much deeper than just the trainers.

"We are saying that the impacts will go so deep potentially tens of thousands of jobs will be lost in New South Wales at a time where unemployment is getting higher."

The greyhound racing prohibition Bill carries penalties of up to a years jail for those who participate in the practice in New South Wales after July 1, 2017.

Photo courtesy of the ABC.

Greyhound Racing No More

BY BRIDGET GUNN

The Liberal Government has announced that they will be completely shutting down the industry of Greyhound racing as of July 2017.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot Macdonald, says it was a difficult decision to make, but the Government says there is no possibility of merely reforming the controversial industry.

"The Government was left with no possible alternative but to shut down the industry so we have decided from the 1st of July next year, greyhound racing and betting will be banned."

Greyhound racing
Source: 2gb

Hunter Greyhound Breeders and Trainers Fight Ban

BY IAN CROUCH

 The Hunter's greyhound trainers and breeders have joined forces to fight the state government's ban on the sport.

More than 400 people who are involved in the industry gathered at Warners Bay yesterday for a crisis meeting to unite in opposition.

Labor MP's Sonia Hornery and Jodie Harrison have thrown their support behind them, vowing to fight Mike Baird's legislation.


Labor Leader Luke Foley has promised to save the greyhound racing industry.


"... 10 to 20 per cent of greyhound trainers have engaged in live baiting. That means 80 to 90 per cent have done the right thing and I don't want them to suffer, to have their industry wiped out because of the actions of a small minority", he said.


Yesterday's meeting at Warners Bay endorsed long-term greyhound breeder, Kevin Gordon to be the Hunter's voice in a newly-formed committee to lobby National Party MP's to cross the floor to defeat legislation banning greyhound racing in NSW.


He's called into question the Special Commission of Inquiry's findings that between 50,000 and 70,000 greyhounds were killed over the past 12 years because they were too slow. Kevin Gordon says tracking numbers of greyhounds wasn't undertaken by the industry until 15 months ago. He maintains these figures include greyhounds who died of natural causes over the 12 year period as well as greyhounds that were exported to New Zealand or sold interstate, along with the hundreds of thousands of greyhounds over the years who were kept as pets by their trainers after they retired from racing.

"I spoke to a breeder in the Hunter Valley yesterday who has 25 greyhounds that he has kept as pets. Unfortunately those pets hadn't been registered as being kept as pets, so they're in this fictitious number. So the number is just false", he said.

Kevin Gordon Addresses Yesterday's Meeting [image Newcastle Herald}

Hunter Greyhound Racing Industry Left Reeling After Ban On Sport

BY IAN CROUCH

 The Hunter's Greyhound Industry believes the Baird Government's decision to shut down the sport is grossly unfair.

From July next year, Greyhound Racing will be banned in NSW following reports of widespread live baiting and the mass slaughter of dogs for being too slow.

However, The Gardens Chairman, Brett Lazarini says the entire industry is being punished for the crimes of a select few.


Well-known Cessnock trainer, Bob Whitelaw says they're not going to take the decision lying down.

"It's going to destroy a lot of families and a lot of lives across NSW. The racing industry for many years at different levels has been split. I think what it's done it will bring the industry and they'll fight this to the finish", he said.

Meanwhile, the decision has prompted animal welfare groups to call for a nationwide ban on Greyhound racing.


"I can only hope that this reverberates around the country. The only way to stop live baiting, and we've seen those disgraceful images, is to end greyhound racing - not just  in NSW, but indeed the country", RSPCA NSW Chief Executive, Steve Coleman said.