A former Tasmanian Labor premier says he is “ashamed” of his past involvement in greyhound racing, describing the sport’s proposed ban as a moral turning point for the state.
David Bartlett used a weekend opinion piece to urge Tasmania to use the ban as a springboard for broader animal welfare reform, including ending caged hen production, outlawing puppy farms and strengthening cruelty laws.
“Imagine Tasmania deliberately positioning itself as the kindest place on the planet to animals,” he wrote.
“[This] would not mean abandoning agriculture or rural life. It would mean setting world-leading welfare standards.”
“It would mean helping farmers transition to higher-welfare systems. It would mean aligning prosperity with compassion rather than positioning them as opposites.”
Bartlett also expressed regret about his own past and criticised his party’s position.
“I am now ashamed of my previous involvement in an office syndicate that “owned” a racing greyhound,” he wrote.
“But perhaps I am even more ashamed that the political party – of which I am still a member – has chosen the wrong side of history in this debate, perhaps emblematic of its inability to change.”
The comments create pressure for Tasmanian Labor, which opposes the Liberal government’s move to end greyhound racing.
The proposal had the support of the majority of members in the lower house, including from the Greens and several independents.
Government whip Marcus Vermey on Saturday said Bartlett’s remarks reflected views within Labor.
“When a former Labor Premier describes himself as ‘ashamed’ of his past support for this industry, it’s time for Josh Willie to reign in Dean Winter’s views on this clear cut issue,” Vermey said.
“This is causing deep division within the Labor party ranks and now Mr Bartlett has shot a public broadside at his very own party.”
Winter, in a statement, said the Liberals went to the election in support of the greyhound racing industry and “almost none of them support the ban”.
“I am aware of most members of the Liberal caucus telling greyhound participants they don’t support the ban,” he said.
“The decision to shut down greyhound racing is not about animal rights. It’s about Jeremy Rockliff’s deal with the Greens to keep himself in power.”
“Shutting down greyhound racing will not save taxpayers a cent, but will cost tens of millions in compensation and hundreds of jobs.”
Winter, speaking on the Poll Position podcast on Friday, said he remained firm in his support for the industry.
“The people of greyhound racing received a letter from Jeremy Rockliff two days before the election, giving his unequivocal support for the racing industry … They do not deserve to be political pawn for Jeremy Rockliff to form government,” he said.
Winter said he was “getting more and more confident” that the bill to ban greyhound racing would not pass the upper house.
Bartlett cited philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah, who argues moral revolutions occur when previously accepted practices come to be seen as shameful.
He likened shifting attitudes towards greyhound racing to changes in views on public executions, child labour and the woodchipping of old-growth forests.
“Future generations are unlikely to judge us on wagering revenue or industry turnover,” Bartlett wrote.
“They will judge us on whether we recognised a moral shift when it arrived and whether we had the courage to respond.”
“Ending greyhound racing is not the end of a conversation. It is the beginning of one.”
The upper house is expected to vote on the ban next month.
