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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-05-30 Daily Xml
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Greyhounds, Export

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:08): Thank you, Mr President. I'm not sure how I can follow that one up. I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question on the topic of greyhound export to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: According to the RSPCA, in 2015 a total of 624 Australian greyhounds were exported to a number of destinations, including China, Macau, Vietnam and South America. In past days, it has been reported by The Sydney Morning Herald that tourists are being encouraged to attend a '100-metre race show' between an 'African cheetah and Australian greyhound' for the title of 'fastest animal in the kingdom' by the Shanghai Wild Animal Park in China.

It is further asserted in these reports that there are approximately 40 greyhounds at this animal park and some of them are as young as two years old and that these dogs are being kept in hot, dark, concrete cells in atrocious conditions. Indeed, English-based greyhound protection worker Kerry Elliman has visited that site and tried to negotiate the release of these greyhounds. She has seen and documented recorded footage of the animals which completely contradicts the so-called 'paradise' and 'warm home for animals' as publicised in the park's advertising.

I note that this park previously came to the attention of the Australian public when Animals Australia had an investigation that exposed that unwanted domestic greyhounds were being exported to this zoo. The dogs are in squalid housing, they are distressed and they are not given adequate room or time to exercise, Animals Australia at that time informed the Australian public. As a result, in 2015 Qantas stopped the freight of greyhounds to Asia.

National racing rules, of course, imposed by Greyhounds Australasia prohibit the export of greyhounds unless they have a permit, which is granted if overseas jurisdictions meet Australian animal welfare standards. However, the federal government has so far refused to toughen legislation and make their export illegal, while Greyhounds Australasia's power in issuing these passports only extends to those people who are registered with the organisation. My question to the minister is: can the minister confirm that none of these dogs in the Shanghai Wild Animal Park in China are of South Australian origin?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (15:10): I thank the honourable member for her most important question. My answer is no.

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