Legislative Council: Tuesday, March 07, 2023

Contents

Greyhound Racing

219 The Hon. T.A. FRANKS ().8 February 2023).

1. How many TAB greyhound meetings have been postponed or cancelled under the Racing SA hot weather policy?

2. How many greyhound races have been run when the temperature at the time of the race is over 38° Celsius?

3. Does the government condone the Greyhound Racing SA hot weather policy which allows for greyhounds to race on days of extreme heat?

4. Will this government commit to bringing South Australia in line with other states by restricting the temperatures that greyhounds are forced to race in?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): The Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing has advised:

The South Australian government is serious about animal welfare.

In 2000, South Australia corporatised the racing industry. The corporatisation fundamentally changed the state government's involvement in the management of the racing industry, including Greyhound Racing SA.

Greyhound Racing SA has informed the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing that:

three (3) meetings in 2022 were postponed and/or cancelled in line with their hot weather policy, where the temperature and conditions at the time of race commencement were deemed unacceptable for racing; and

since the beginning of 2023 calendar year, an additional two (2) meetings have been postponed and/or cancelled.

Greyhound Racing SA has informed the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing that no races have been run where the temperature exceeds their hot weather policy.

On any day forecasted to approach or exceed the hot weather policy, stewards have made the decision to reschedule to a cooler part of day such as early morning, reschedule for another day, or abandon the race meet altogether.

There are strict guidelines in place in relation greyhound racing during hot weather and there is expectation from the state government that these guidelines are adhered to at all times.

The Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing has recently written to Greyhound SA requesting they consider a review of their current hot weather policy.