Tuesday, 28 May 2024

Greyhound racing

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:27): (538) My question is for the Minister for Racing in the other place. April was a horror month in greyhound racing. Eight dogs were killed in just four weeks on tracks in Victoria – six snapped legs, one broken neck and one broken spine. Victoria continues to hold the shameful title of the most deaths Australia-wide, recording eight more deaths than any other state and six more than this time last year. Will the minister establish an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding increasing greyhound racing deaths in Victoria?

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:28): I thank Ms Purcell for her interest and her long-time advocacy on these issues. I will make sure that is passed on to the minister in the other place, and in line with the standing orders, make sure there is an appropriate response.

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:28): Thanks, Minister, for referring that on. In 2022 this government invested $6 million into a safety rebuild at Traralgon, promising a world-first J curve designed by the University of Technology Sydney. The intention was to reduce track death and injury. It has done the opposite, and only a year later the university severed its ties with greyhound racing following an integrity and governance review. Despite every effort, Traralgon remains Victoria’s deadliest track and has already recorded more deaths this year than it did for the whole of 2023. Will the minister accept the J curve is a deadly failure and close this track for good?

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:29): I thank Ms Purcell for her question and raising her concerns on this matter. I will make sure that question is forwarded to the Minister for Racing in the other place and seek an appropriate response.