Greyhound Racing

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (7 July 2016).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change): The Minister for Racing has received this advice:

The South Australian racing industry was corporatised in 2000 by the former state government. The effect of corporatisation was to hand control of the racing industry to three controlling authorities representing each of the racing codes (thoroughbred racing, harness racing and greyhound racing).

Greyhound Racing SA Limited is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Greyhound Racing SA operates independently of government.

The state government does not record the number of bred to race greyhounds euthanased per year. The state government has always made it clear to Greyhound Racing SA the welfare of greyhounds has to be at the centre of their decision-making.

Greyhound Racing SA’s commitment to animal welfare predates the live baiting and current controversy surrounding the industry in New South Wales, which is evidenced by animal welfare being one of the eight key pillars of their 2012 strategic plan.

Greyhound Racing SA has no tolerance for the mistreatment of greyhounds.

To date, there is still no evidence of live baiting in this state or that Greyhound Racing SA has failed to perform its duty as the designated controlling authority for greyhound racing in South Australia.

In contrast, the South Australian greyhound racing industry is leading the country in rehoming of greyhounds post racing and is a strong advocate for the reforms the industry needs on a national basis. In 2013, Greyhound Racing SA established the Prison Pet Partnership Program in the Adelaide Women’s Prison. Greyhound Racing SA is working towards establishing a second program within the Mobilong Prison near Murray Bridge.

Back in 2012, Greyhound Racing SA committed to continuous growth in funding for its Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP). Their target was to lead industry best practice in greyhound adoption rates by 2017.

As a state government we have been advising GRSA to publicly disclose the figures. I welcomed Greyhound Racing SA’s decision to publicly disclose euthanasia figures on September 21 2016 and their aim of reaching zero unnecessary euthanasia of greyhounds.