Government funding for greyhound racing in Tasmania will end in 2029 whether the ban legislation passes the upper house or not, Premier Jeremy Rockliff says.
Rockliff made the announcement at Agfest on Friday, as the bill heads to a committee inquiry after the government stalled debate in the Legislative Council.
“There’ll be no more funding for greyhound racing from the Tasmanian government beyond 2029,” Rockliff said.
The Greyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform) Bill 2025 would shut the industry down by June 30, 2029.
It includes an immediate ban on breeding and a prohibition on euthanising healthy dogs.
If passed, Tasmania would become the first Australian state to ban the sport. The ACT outlawed greyhound racing in 2018.
The bill passed the lower house in December and was amended to include a $4.8 million compensation package for industry participants.
But the government pulled it from upper house debate in late April after independents Tania Rattray and Casey Hiscutt signalled their opposition, while Ruth Forrest said she remained undecided.
Rockliff said the decision to send the bill to a committee was the right one.
“This is part of what I think is a very good process of listening, gathering more information and ensuring that the legislation, when it passes, is implemented effectively,” he said.
He said the racing integrity commissioner had advised that legislation was needed to support participants through the transition and lock in animal welfare standards.
“This legislation is critical to the pathway of ending greyhound racing,” he said.
Asked about the toll on participants facing further uncertainty, Rockliff agreed it was a concern but rejected suggestions he was responsible for the delay.
“What we want is for all the questions that have been raised to be answered and answered effectively,” he said.
The political landscape is also shifting. Independent Clare Glade-Wright yesterday won the upper house seat of Huon from incumbent Dean Harriss.
Harriss had backed the bill with conditions, including increasing the compensation package.
Glade-Wright campaigned as a vocal opponent of greyhound racing on animal welfare grounds.
The committee’s reporting timeframe is yet to be set.
