Page 1229 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 11 April 2018
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I do not hold high hopes. History tells us that the Greens vote how the Chief Minister tells them too. The Chief Minister does not waste an opportunity to take money from anyone at all. I condemn the government for this utter hypocrisy. I am dismayed but not in the least bit surprised. Thank you.
Visitors
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Before we move on, I would like to acknowledge that we have in the Gallery with us students from St John Paul II College, led by their teacher, Mr Jason Paris.
Government—revenue from greyhound racing
Debate resumed.
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for Regulatory Services, Minister for the Arts and Community Events and Minister for Veterans and Seniors) (11.10): The government will not be supporting Mr Parton’s motion, and I will shortly be moving the amendment that has been circulated in my name. I do note at this stage that there has been a change in tack in Mr Parton’s approach of late in relation to the ACT government’s ban on greyhound racing that takes effect in 19 days. The basis of his argument is changing, and it is with good reason. And let me summarise what I would see as the reason for the change that has been occurring.
It is tough for Mr Parton to argue that the greyhound racing industry in Canberra has an impeccable animal welfare record anymore when dogs continue to be euthanised at the Symonston track as a result of this activity. On 28 January Quadzilla was euthanised at the track for an offside tarsal fracture. On 11 February Antique Kerry was euthanised at the track for a number of leg fractures. Since the greyhound racing ban legislation was announced in June 2017 a further two dogs that we are aware of, Hilda’s Rose and Kenny’s Shadow, have been euthanised at the track for fractures. I wonder aloud whether they loved to race. The routine putting down of otherwise healthy animals which have been injured while providing entertainment for a handful of people is not, to quote Mr Parton and the interests that he lobbies for beyond all reason, a perfect animal welfare record.
It is also tough for Mr Parton to argue that the greyhound racing industry in Canberra is beyond reproach when we know of the extent of doping practices and animal cruelty carried out by greyhound trainers who routinely race in Canberra. I have pointed out before in this place that the four-time and most recent winner of the Canberra Greyhound Racing Cup has been disqualified from racing three times since 2005 over the discovery of prohibited substances in her trainer’s greyhounds, including cocaine. This trainer is also one of 178 trainers that has also been charged by Greyhound Racing New South Wales with the alleged unauthorised export of dogs to Macau, where healthy Australian dogs are kept in appalling conditions and used for barbaric entertainment.
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