Poll – EMRS, released 6 November 2023
A Study to Evaluate the Attitudes of Tasmanians towards the Greyhound Racing Industry
Media release – Independent Member for Clark, Kristie Johnston, 6 November 2023
Johnston Welcomes Greyhound Racing Survey Results
Independent Member for Clark, Kristie Johnston, says she is not surprised by the recent EMRS report that reveals more than 60% of Tasmanians oppose greyhound racing.
For some time, Ms Johnston has been publicly calling for an end to the Government funding of greyhound racing, and believes the results of the survey is further proof the Tasmanian community have had enough of their taxes supporting animal cruelty.
“Last year over 13500 Tasmanians signed a parliamentary e-petition calling for the end to the government funding of greyhound racing. Despite being one of the largest responses to any e-petition, the Government simply ignored the voices of the people and continues to condone animal abuse by dipping into public funds to prop up this medieval practice.”
“These latest poll results show that it’s about time the Labor and Liberal parties listened to their constituents and stop using taxpayer dollars to support this cruel industry,“ Ms Johnston said.
Media release – Andrew Wilkie, independent MHR for Clark, 6 November 2023
GREYHOUND RACING MUST BE BANNED
“New EMRS polling revealing that more than 60 per cent of Tasmanians oppose greyhound racing further highlights the need for this cruel industry to end. Add to the fact that this polling was conducted before greyhound trainer Anthony Bullock was handed a lifetime ban for using a pademelon tail as live bait, and it goes to show that the sport is strongly opposed by the community. Indeed my office is constantly contacted by members of the community who share their disgust and outrage at how the dogs are treated in the greyhound industry.
“Frankly it beggars belief that the State Government continues to prop up an industry which pushes precious animals to their limits and results in so much cruelty, injuries and premature deaths. Seems the Government is again more interested in bankrolling the gambling industry than acting with integrity.
“This funding of state-sanctioned cruelty would be better spent on health, housing and traffic congestion, among other things, rather than lining the pockets of the owners, breeders and trainers who mistreat their dogs and discard them when they are of no more use.
“The greyhound industry is cruel with many greyhounds being treated appallingly. It is high time the State Government ceased funding this cruelty and shut down the industry altogether. After all, the only way to end the cruelty is to end the industry.”
