A parliamentary committee has backed the phase-out of greyhound racing in Tasmania, but the question of how much it will cost taxpayers remains unanswered.
The Joint Standing Committee on Greyhound Racing Transition on Wednesday recommended the Greyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform) Bill 2025 be passed with amendments.
The bill sets a closure date of June 30, 2029, giving the industry three years to wind down.
But no compensation figure has been set. The racing integrity commissioner said determining one could take two to three years.
“I think the issue of compensation is one that needs to be addressed, but it needs to be addressed in a manner that is well-researched,” he said.
“What that looks like I can’t say at this stage.”
Industry participants told the inquiry they face significant losses.
Submissions estimated racing dogs are worth between $10,000 and $200,000, brood bitches between $10,000 and $50,000 and kennel upkeep costs hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
More than 1,000 greyhounds are currently in the Tasmanian racing system.
The committee found Tasracing’s breeding data unreliable and raised concerns some participants had been breeding up – potentially to inflate future compensation claims.
Racing Minister Jane Howlett said a working group would determine compensation, but did not commit to a figure.
“That is what the commissioner and the working group will work through,” she said.
The greyhound code received about $8 million in race field fees and recorded a $3.2 million loss in 2024–25, funded through a $27 million annual racing deed that expires when racing ends.
A new deed covering only thoroughbred and harness racing is expected by May 2026.
The committee also recommended greyhounds no longer be required to wear muzzles in public after racing ends and confirmed lure coursing would be illegal under the new laws.
Rehoming organisations told the inquiry they would struggle to place all the dogs currently in the system.
The committee recommended they receive dedicated funding in the 2026-27 state budget.
Independent MLC Tania Rattray, also leader of the government in the upper house, opposed the bill.
Labor shadow treasurer Dean Winter said in a dissenting statement the plan would impose “massive, uncapped costs” on taxpayers.
Committee chair Kristie Johnston said the inquiry balanced strong views on both sides, with animal and participant welfare central.
The bill passed the House of Assembly in December 2025 and will now go before the Legislative Council for debate.
