Senate debates Motions

Greyhound Racing


Mehreen Faruqi

Mehreen Faruqi NSW, Australian Greens

12:00 pm

I, and also on behalf of Senator Hinch, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) that tens of millions of dollars in public money is handed over to the greyhound racing and gambling industry each year by states and territories in prize money, for building new tracks and in tax breaks,

(ii) Greyhounds Australasia estimates that the industry is responsible for the unnecessary deaths of anywhere between 13 000 and 17 000 healthy greyhounds a year, and

(iii) that millions of Australians want to see greyhound racing banned on animal welfare grounds, and do not want to see public money subsidising greyhound racing and gambling; and

(b) calls on state and territory governments to withdraw public funding of greyhound racing, and put the tens of millions of dollars towards health, education and drought relief. (general business notice of motion no. 1047)

Anne Ruston

Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific

12:01 pm

I seek leave to make a short statement

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston

Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific

Greyhound racing provides significant economic activity, employment and social benefits to rural and regional communities. Public funding of greyhound racing is a matter for state and territory governments to determine.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President

The question is that motion No. 1047 be agreed to.