Wednesday, 16 August 2023

Parliamentary privilege

Right of reply: Greyhound Racing Victoria

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (17:20): I am very pleased to speak to what was tabled the other day in the right of reply from Terrie Benfield from Greyhound Racing Victoria. I know some people opposite claim to support the greyhound racing industry, but their support seems to be very half hearted, frequently bordering on being apologetic for that support. Racing and punting, in particular greyhound racing, is a cultural pastime and has long been accessible to ordinary working people. Ms Purcell, who the right of reply was in response to, boasts of her links to the union movement and her solidarity with the union movement and activism for working people but seems to loathe all of the hobbies and pastimes of working people. I think if one was to enthusiastically support a pastime of working folk, it would be quite the opposite, but alas they no longer care about those who put in a hard day’s work.

I want to go to the right of reply. It points out a whole bunch of stuff, accusations that have already been put into Hansard about Greyhound Racing Victoria. It accuses them of a whole bunch of things, including baiting greyhounds, in particular with possums, drugging dogs and live baiting. It makes a whole bunch of very serious accusations in this house. Their right of reply says:

Ms Georgie Purcell in the Legislative Council on 30 May 2023 made statements that “GRV have confirmed that they will not be following up on this matter, simply because Mr Borda is from South Australia and also registered there.” GRV did not make these statements to Ms Purcell.

The person referenced by Ms Purcell, is the Owner of the greyhound and is registered in South Australia, not with Greyhound Racing Victoria. If the breach of the Rules of Racing occurred, it occurred in South Australia, not Victoria. Given this, Greyhound Racing Victoria does not have jurisdiction to act against the Owner in relation to these offences.

Greyhound Racing South Australia … is responsible for the investigation and any prosecution deriving from that investigation. However, because both of the Owner’s greyhounds were last trained and raced in Victoria, the GRV Greyhound Racing Integrity Unit … have assisted GRSA by making inquiries with the trainers who are registered in Victoria. Should GRSA bring charges against the Owner, those charges will be heard and determined in South Australia.

If not appropriately clarified, the statement by Ms Purcell that GRV stated that GRV will not take action adversely impacts on public confidence in GRV which adversely impacts on GRV’s statutory functions.

I think it very clearly makes the case for a misleading statement to this house.

I think all members of this house should support our flourishing greyhound racing industry. I am very, very fortunate that my electorate is home to the Meadows greyhound track in Broadmeadows in the Northern Metropolitan Region. I was actually really delighted to attend the Phoenix greyhound race last year, which some might not be aware in this chamber is actually the world’s richest greyhound race, right in the northern suburbs, right in the heart of Broadmeadows.

I would like to acknowledge the chairman of Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association Barbara Backhoy and vice-chairman Terrence Davies. I would also like to acknowledge Peita Duncan, the chair of Greyhound Racing Victoria, and Jack Blayney, the deputy chair, and thank them all for the important work that they do.

As I said, I was pleased to go to the Phoenix last year. I even bumped into the former Premier of Victoria Denis Napthine, who of course as we all know takes a very strong interest in racing and in working people and, as a former vet, the welfare of these animals. He obviously takes a keen interest.

There are terrific events hosted at the Meadows, with jumping castles, kids’ stalls and activities that make the greyhounds a really fun family-friendly event. The community definitely benefits from greyhound racing. I know they do a lot to support the community in the northern suburbs. They host community groups in Broadmeadows in the northern suburbs quite regularly at the Meadows. They provide community meeting places, but it also contributes a very big economic benefit. The Size and Scope of the Victorian Racing Industry report said that greyhound racing has an economic contribution of $643 million, which is great news for all Victorians and why all members of this house should support the greyhound racing industry.