The Greens’ proposed Joint House Parliamentary Inquiry into the greyhound racing industry moved one step closer with the motion to establish the inquiry passing the Lower House.
“This vote is an important step forward for animal welfare, as well as for the reputation of the greyhound racing industry,” Greens’ Animal Welfare spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said today.
“While the government moved amendments to our original motion, on the whole those changes were acceptable and should not reduce the inquiry’s scope or rigour.”
“Hopefully the Legislative Council will now consider and support this motion as soon as possible after which the Joint house Inquiry will get up and running.”
“On behalf of the Greens I thank both the Minister and the Labor Opposition for providing tripartite support for this important animal welfare initiative,” Ms O’Connor said.
Text of final amended motion as passed by the House of Assembly this evening:
That this House:
1. (a) Recognises that the ABC’s Four Corners program of the 16th of February, brought to public attention the issue of live baiting in Australia’s greyhound racing industry;
(b) notes the efforts of whistleblowers at Animals Australia and Animal Liberation Queensland who gathered the evidence for the ABC;
(c) acknowledges the Four Corners program resulted in a high level of public concern, including thousands of emails to Members of Parliament in Tasmania;
(d) recognises that since Four Corners went to air, allegations have been made of live baiting, wastage – the euthanizing of dogs that do not perform or are past their best, and draining – the draining of blood from a dog before it is euthanized – happening in Tasmania;
(e) notes that while many Members of Parliament have received these reports, since the Four Corners program was broadcast, the RSPCA has received nine calls in relation to live baiting and all have been followed up, with none identified as requiring further action; and
(f) notes the comprehensive recommendations made by the Director of Racing and the Chief Veterinary Officer as a result of their review of animal welfare provisions in the greyhound racing industry; and
2. That a Joint Select Committee be appointed with power to send for persons and papers with leave to sit during any adjournment of either house exceeding 14 days and with leave to adjourn from place to place, and with leave to report from time to time, to inquire into and report upon:-
(a) practices in the Tasmanian greyhound racing industry, including whether live baiting, ‘wastage’ and ‘draining’ of greyhounds is occurring, and if so, to what extent;
(b) the role of regulatory authorities in upholding animal welfare standards in the industry and encouraging best practice;
(c) the level of state government funding provided to the industry in Tasmania in the form of a 20 year funding deed signed in 2009;
(d) the comprehensive report already completed by the Director of Racing and the Chief Veterinary Officer into these issues and the 29 recommendations for consideration by the State Government; and
(e) any other matters incidental thereto.
(f) that the number of Members to serve on the Committee on the part of the House be four, two nominated by the Leader of Government Business, one nominated by the Leader of Opposition Business and one nominated by the Member for Bass Kim Booth and that the Joint Select Committee shall report by 30 June 2015.
Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson
