Greyhound racing
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:11): (927) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Racing in the other place. In December last year the New Zealand government announced that they would ban greyhound racing, citing high death and high injury rates, although it is important to note that their death and injury rates are actually still lower than here in Victoria. A committee was formed to help manage a 20-month transition, including rehoming the roughly 2900 racing dogs exiting the industry and to prevent the killing of dogs. The racing minister clearly stated that ‘relocating dogs to another country for racing will not be permitted’. However, a chartered flight containing 80 New Zealand greyhounds arrived in Queensland in April, with the intention for them to be raced in the state. Will the minister commit to ensuring that no New Zealand greyhounds will be accepted into Victoria for the purposes of racing?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:12): I thank Ms Purcell for her question and her passion on this issue. I will make sure that is passed on to the Minister for Racing in the other place for an appropriate response.
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:12): Thank you, Minister, for referring that on. Greyhound racing has all but ended or is being wound up around the world. On top of New Zealand, Wales recently announced that they would also ban greyhound racing. It is already banned in China and Vietnam, and the United States, which once had 70 tracks across 19 states, now has only two tracks. Seven American states have outlawed remote wagering on dog races, including on our own races here in Australia. Recently a group of US legislators wrote to racing ministers in Australia urging them to consider an end to greyhound racing on the grounds of welfare. Can the minister advise if he received this correspondence and if he will be responding to it?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:13): I thank Ms Purcell for that supplementary question, which I will also pass on to the Minister for Racing in the other place for response in line with the practices of this place.