Page 141 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 14 December 2016
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form of gambling. If their choices are around liking greyhounds then they can like greyhounds. No-one is stopping anyone having a greyhound as a pet. In fact, there are many greyhound rehoming organisations which put a lot of work into supporting greyhounds as lovely pets, as lovely animals. I think that Mr Parton’s statement that this was around the fun police and a nanny state is just not correct.
Members will note that the current parliamentary agreement, as Minister Ramsay noted, between the ALP and the Greens includes a commitment to terminate the subsidy at the end of the current funding arrangements. Of course, we are very pleased about this. We understand that the subsidy is largely used to provide prize money for the greyhound races. Analysis of ACT Greyhound Racing Club data shows that between 2011 and 2015 only 6.4 per cent of all winnings were awarded to ACT-based trainers. That is less than $50,000 over five years that was returned to ACT-based trainers as winnings, and that is with a government investment of a million dollars a year.
The Greens are committed to seeing the end of this exploitative industry in the ACT. We believe that it is the greyhounds that deserve a fair go. We reject any calls for this outdated and cruel industry to grow. It should be wound up as soon as possible. The parliamentary agreement includes a commitment to actively support the transition steps required to end the operation of the greyhound racing industry, including animal welfare and training support.
The Greens are committed to supporting people in the industry to transition away from racing. We want to see a just transition plan, led by the government, that supports both the workers and the dogs. I believe it is important that we start consultation with the industry as soon as possible, to ensure that there is a smooth process. It is also vital that we work with the animal welfare organisations in the ACT to ensure that we have enough supports in place to be able to foster the many dogs that will be seen as surplus as the industry winds down.
The ACT has a long tradition of leading on animal welfare reforms, and the Greens are very proud of the contribution we have made to these animal welfare gains. When the ACT Greens first put forward legislation to ban sales of puppies in pet stores, people said we were trying to “ban the sale of puppies”. When we banned sow stalls, people said we were wasting time because there were not any here, failing to recognise the significance throughout Australia of a jurisdiction actually leading, and introducing legislation like that. Of course, we are very pleased—and I personally am very pleased—that the legislation to ban cage eggs has finally been passed, because I was one of the many Green MLAs who moved for legislation on this.
Looking at greyhounds, Australia is one of only eight countries left in the world that still allow greyhound racing. It is well overdue to end this cruel practice. We should probably look at why the other countries have banned it.
Mrs Jones: Every other country?
MS LE COUTEUR: There are only eight countries in the world left that allow greyhound racing. Why have other countries in the world banned it? I think it is around animal cruelty. As I said we are committed to animal welfare. We do support
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