Motions

Greyhound Racing

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. T.A. Franks:

That this council notes that—

1. Greyhound racing is currently legal in only eight countries across the world, specifically being Australia, the USA, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, China, Mexico and Vietnam;

2. While there are over 50 active tracks in Australia, there are only two operational tracks in the USA, six in New Zealand, 21 in the UK, 17 in Ireland, one in Mexico, and none in Vietnam;

3. New Zealand announced a bipartisan phased ban on greyhound racing in 2024 to take full effect in 2026;

4. Scotland and Wales have recently announced they will soon ban greyhound racing;

5. Tasmania is set to end its funding to greyhound racing by 2029;

6. The ACT banned greyhound racing in 2018; and

7. South Australia is now in the second half of the two-year timeframe first given in late 2023 when the Malinauskas government gave the greyhound racing industry notice to clean up or be shut down; and that to date slow progress is being made to that goal.

(Continued from 17 September 2025.)

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (17:39): I rise to continue my remarks in regard to the greyhound racing industry, not just across the globe but here in South Australia. Indeed, South Australia is now in the second half of the two-year timeframe, first given in late 2023 when the Malinauskas government gave the greyhound racing industry of South Australia notice to clean up its act or be shut down. We are making very slow progress towards that goal.

I have noted further in this motion, and in my previous contribution, the fact that greyhound racing does not exist in many jurisdictions around the world. Indeed, Australia is the jurisdiction where greyhound racing is the most prevalent. There are only two tracks in the US and most recently New Zealand, through a bipartisan effort, is phasing out greyhound racing in that jurisdiction. The reality of that is we ask ourselves: where are those greyhounds who have been raced going to go? In the interim, New Zealand does have a plan, but I would urge South Australia to be alive to the fact that we may well see trainers attempt to race greyhounds currently raced in New Zealand here more and more.

The greyhound racing industry no doubt would tell you that they do a fantastic job in rehoming here in South Australia. I am sure that that is what they would tell you. I have to say that Google can sometimes be an interesting read. I look at the Angle Park Veterinary Clinic Google reviews, which deal directly with some of those involved in the greyhound racing industry in this state, and I see lots of one-star reviews. One person writes a month ago or so, or perhaps a little longer:

I took my puppy for the second vaccination which was the worst experience she had. The doctor hasn't got enough experience and injected hardly pulling out the needle twice and the poor puppy screaming and has pain for two weeks not letting us to patting her on her neck. I made an appointment for the third vaccine and asked them to not be with the same doctor and they ensured me it won't be him. When I got there after a long drive it was the same doctor and no body cares. Their management is so disappointing and their manner is unprofessional. It's very inconvenient.

That is obviously a member of the public seeking to have their puppy treated, but she is not alone. Another one-star review writes:

Took my dog for an appointment as it had some sort of skin lesion. Got told in 2 minutes that it was possibly cancer and needed to be removed for $1000 plus. Got a second opinion, test were done for no more than $150. Got told it was ring worm.

That is a man called Daniel. Tyla writes one star over a year ago:

Wouldn't recommend. My dog had stitches still in her from November that they apparently 'removed'. Vet didn't introduce his name. Staff throwing empty vials of medicine on desk. Vet did not speak to us or our newly adopted anxious dog. Rang and spoke about needing specific medication—only to drive 45 mins for them not to have it. Waste of time and have now booked a vet appt elsewhere.

And then two more. One-star review from Mikaela:

Do not go here. They have a habit of turning away animals in need over petty unrelated personal issues despite those issues having nothing to do with pet owners. They also love to delete honest reviews on Facebook to hide the fact.

Barbara agrees. One star:

The reason I gave one star was because there was no option for NO STARS. I took my greyhound down to the Angel Park Veterinary clinic for her vaccinations. I have owned dogs for 40+ years and have NEVER had such an appalling experience in that time. Her vaccination given to her in the waiting room. NOT once did the person who gave it to her, speak to her. Pat her. NO interaction what so ever. I cannot say what her occupation was as she didn't introduce herself to me, apart from asking me what I was there for the only other thing she said to both of us was you can go now! NO WAY WILL I EVER TAKE MY FUR BABY BACK THERE, and neither should you.

I seek leave to table a list of reported GAP concerns and incidents at the Angle Park Veterinary Clinic.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: This document has been released to me with a series of concerns about the Angle Park Veterinary Clinic, which is of course the one that the Greyhound Adoption Program favours. The Google reviews I have watched for many years, and they are somewhat publicly available. Of course, the deleted ones are no longer available, but the reported GAP concerns and incidents that have been provided to me are incredibly concerning, outlining ill-treatment of animals, bullying of staff, changing of records and hiding of what is possibly unlawful and certainly unethical practice.

This industry shows time and time again that it cannot be cleaned up. I hope this parliament and this government really meant it seriously when they said that this industry had to clean up its act, that it has to do so. I urge all members of this chamber to read those documents and see what is really going on in the greyhound racing industry in this state. With that, I seek leave to conclude my comments.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.