Media release – Office of Racing Integrity, 1 November 2023
Clarification of charge – Mr Anthony Bullock
As reported on 25 October 2023, a panel of stewards, operating under the Greyhounds Australasia Rules (GAR), conducted an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the location and seizure of the item. Following the inquiry, Mr Bullock was charged under GAR 159(3)(b) ‘possessing an animal part capable of being used as bait, quarry or a lure’.
Since that time, these circumstances have been reflected on several occasions in the media incorrectly, referring to the activity as ‘live baiting’.
To clarify, stewards of the Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) located an animal part (a pademelon tail) attached to a mechanical training apparatus at the property of Mr Bullock.
There has been no evidence gathered by ORI which supports a charge of ‘live baiting’ under GAR 159(1) in relation to Mr Bullock or any other Tasmanian greyhound racing participant since allegations of live baiting were raised in the Tasmanian Parliament on 30 March 2023.
Media release – Kristie Johnston MP, Independent Member for Clark, 1 November 2023
Tasracing Sacks Animal Welfare Whistleblower
Ms Johnston asked the following question of the Racing Minister the House today:
Minister joining us in the house is Kiera.
Kiera is the brave whistleblower who raised concerns about the mistreatment of greyhounds at Tasracing’s Greyhound Adoption Program and her belief that greyhounds had been live baited. We now know her concerns are well-founded.
She had initially raised these concerns through the appropriate internal channels but they fell on deaf ears. Tasracing instead imposed more and more restrictions on her work in an attempt to intimidate and squeeze her out. Unable to stand by and watch these dogs suffer she decided the only way to protect them was to speak out publicly. She did on Seven News on Tuesday 24 October.
Yesterday Kiera was sacked by Tasracing. Her letter of termination references her refusal to accept restrictions on her work that would affect the welfare of the dogs and her public statements to Seven News.
Tasracing has sacked her for daring to speak an inconvenient truth. That’s how they treat whistleblowers.
Minister, do you condone the sacking of whistleblowers? Will you conduct an independent investigation into the seriously flawed management and culture at Tasracing?
“It’s clear the Minister has washed his hands of any responsibility,” Ms Johnston said.
