Last month, Tasmania announced it would phase out greyhound racing in the state. This decision follows a real show of leadership from Premier Jeremy Rockliff. The outcome of the recent Tasmanian state election was a hung parliament. This decision is universally interpreted as an environmental concession to the Greens and independent MPs. The amendments to the Animal Welfare Act will formally end greyhound racing in Tasmania on 30 June 2029. This recently issued final rule puts an end to an era for the oft-opposed sport.
The announcement was released about two weeks after the election. It would be a landmark step toward demonstrating a serious commitment to animal welfare and would answer the community’s increasing outcry over the treatment of racing dogs. Tasmania’s racing integrity commissioner Sean Carroll should lead in the preparation of a greyhound racing shutdown plan. His vision is to adopt a plan that allows for a just transition away from the industry. This plan has already inched ahead, given $500,000 currently from the interim state budget. Next it requires approval from the Minister for Racing, Jane Howlett.
Legislative Changes and Transition Plan
The draft legislation outlines a three-year plan to phase out greyhound racing. It establishes rigorous standards to prevent exactly that, requiring humane treatment of these dogs. Any greyhound that reaches the age of six or has not raced in more than 12 months—unless due to injury—must be retired and de-registered. It will become an offence to race other dog breeds in a way that mimics modern greyhound racing.
We appreciate his transparency in explaining the rationale behind this historical move. As the President, Brian explained how concern for animal welfare has skyrocketed year over year.
“It’s clear that we need to draw a line in the sand when it comes to the greyhound racing industry in Tasmania,” – Jeremy Rockliff
Farm Sanctuary’s Animal Welfare Action Plan This unified, multi-issue plan to protect animal welfare at the federal level aims to protect the best interests of all industry workers.
“For many years now, and increasingly so, there’s been concerns around animal welfare and we’re seeing an industry that is at the crossroads, in decline, and does not meet community expectations anymore,” – Jeremy Rockliff
To facilitate the phase-out process, Mr. Carroll has established a working group aimed at gathering community input on how best to implement these changes. Together, this type of collaborative approach is designed to make sure the transition is done in an empathetic and effective way. Perhaps most interesting is that so far in the planning process, the greyhound racing industry has refused to engage.
Community Input and Industry Response
Rosie Saville, a leader of the movement to promote animal welfare and prevent cruelty to animals called on supporters to back the government’s proposal.
Saville noted that this initiative addresses critical animal welfare concerns. That, in turn, helps foster the health of everyone employed in the industry.
“In my opinion, it’s absolutely correct to gradually phase out [greyhound racing] and I think it’s been extremely well planned and put together under the guidance of Sean Carroll,” – Rosie Saville
The creation of a working group is indicative of the tremendous excitement around these issues from all stakeholders. They want to include community voices in deciding what animal racing looks like in Tasmania’s future.
“I think it addresses the issues of animal welfare and also the welfare of the people in the industry as well,” – Rosie Saville
This move to phase out greyhound racing in Tasmania is one that reflects national conversations about animal welfare and the role of racing. In 2016, New South Wales was the first jurisdiction throughout Australia to phase out greyhound racing. This history-making decision came on the heels of an investigation that revealed serious animal welfare violations. By contrast, Tasmania’s decision is part of a clear, growing trend to end this practice once and for all.
Context and Historical Background
In the last 10 years, the Tasmanian parliament has received five petitions specifically targeted at the greyhound racing industry. This wave of petitions is a testament to the growing public anger over the industry’s tactics. TasRacing successfully negotiated $36.7 million in annual industry grant funding for the 2024-25 period. This large sum begs the question of how resources should be earned and spent, particularly in light of growing public opposition to greyhound racing.
The ACT is the only Australian state or territory to have an existing ban on greyhound racing. This development highlights the state of Tasmania’s new direction on this hot-button topic.
The ACT remains the only state or territory in Australia where greyhound racing is currently banned, further highlighting Tasmania’s evolving stance on this contentious issue.
