Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In news that will surprise no-one, the greyhound racing and gambling industry has yet again been exposed for animal cruelty. And, just like clockwork, the Labor Party has leapt to their defence, guaranteeing there will be no serious consequences for this so-called sport built on the abuse of animals.

This time the scandal has emerged in New South Wales, with a report from former veterinary officer Alexander Brittan. The report details Greyhound Racing New South Wales's indifference to the welfare of greyhounds, highlighting issues endemic in every aspect from rearing to racing to rehoming. Dr Brittan exposes that, despite $30 million of mostly taxpayer dollars being used to improve track safety, there has been a more than 16-fold increase in serious injuries over a 16-month period. He describes this as the greatest increase in the rate of race injuries in the history of greyhound racing in New South Wales.

But who cares? Who cares about seriously injured dogs when there is money to be made? Greyhound Racing New South Wales certainly doesn't. Labor certainly doesn't. And the Liberals definitely don't.

Greyhounds as Pets, the industry's rehoming body, has come under fire for failing to provide adequate nutrition to the dogs under their care. The industry of course dismissed Dr Brittan's efforts to introduce an appropriate diet, arguing, 'They are just dogs, and they can eat pretty much anything.' Disgraceful! Do you want to know the costs the industry won't cover? Just $2.70 to $3.12 per dog per day. They don't care about these dogs.

Dr Brittan estimates that rehoming numbers have been so poor over the past five years that between 8,000 and 13,000 greyhounds remain trapped within the industry. The most disturbing revelations involve the industry's PR piece, the G'day USA program, which sends dogs to the USA for rehoming.

It is clear that the industry's wilful negligence and desire to rid themselves of the dogs at any cost are leading to tragic consequences. One dog, Jazzie, died en route to the USA from bloat due to inappropriate preparation. The death was described as one of the most painful imaginable for a greyhound that was in a dark, unattended space. And one can only imagine the immense pain experienced by the greyhound.

Another dog, Carey, died when released from the transport kennel into the transporter's van, which resembled a racing starter's box. The greyhound ran at full velocity into a fence, fracturing his neck. It was clearly inappropriate to place a dog so recently removed from racing into such a situation.

Rehoming dogs through this program is actually more deadly than the tracks that they have just survived. The death rate of the G'day USA program is four times more dangerous than the average New South Wales race track and more dangerous than any active track in New South Wales.

This report also alleges that the supposed independent regulator of racing in New South Wales, GWIC, is not accurately reporting the mortality rates and lax transparency. Massive numbers of greyhounds go missing each year. Each annual cohort of approximately 4½ thousand greyhounds entering the industry suffers a 20 per cent mortality rate between 18 months and 66 months.

It's been nearly eight years since the Labor and Liberal parties united in their support for the toxic gambling industry and their indifference to animal welfare and overturned the ban on greyhound racing in New South Wales. I was there and witnessed the opportunistic and craven Labor Party siding with their gambling industry donors to oppose the shutdown. The weak-willed Liberal Party chose to crumble, rather than stand for what was right.

Tens of millions of dollars have been poured into giving the industry one last chance. Over the past eight years it's become routine to see headlines about dogs dying on track, drugging scandals, cheating, organised crime involvement, catastrophic injuries and rehoming failures. I won't hold my breath, as it seems Labor is already covering up for the industry, but I won't be silent until this horrible industry comes to an end.