Tasmania will ban greyhound racing by mid-2029 under legislation introduced to state parliament today, with breeding restrictions and tighter animal welfare controls expected to begin within months.
Racing Minister Jane Howlett tabled the Greyhound Racing Legislation Amendments Bill on Wednesday, setting June 30, 2029, as the official closure date for the industry.
From January 1 next year, breeding greyhounds for racing will be banned, with limited exceptions for existing pregnancies and dogs bred purely as pets, if the bill passes parliament.
“We are delivering on our commitment and the interim budget includes $500,000 to support its implementation,” Howlett said.
Labor leader Josh Willie said the government had betrayed an industry that contributes $208 million to the Tasmanian economy and involves around 6,400 people.
He said Premier Jeremy Rockliff had pledged support to the sector before the last election, only to blindside participants with the closure plan.
“Three months ago you wrote to the North West Greyhound Racing Club and said the government is committed to support the longevity and sustainability of the racing industry,” Willie told the premier in parliament.
“Today your Liberal-Greens government will be tabling legislation to shut it down.”
He said there had been no consultation with the industry on the bill and raised concerns about participant mental health and animal welfare during the transition.
Rockliff said the industry had been invited to join a transition working group but chose not to take part.
“We want to ensure that everyone is engaged when it comes to working through what is a complex transition,” he said.
“We’ve made the call and in 2029 the greyhound racing industry will cease.”
Under the proposed laws, greyhound owners must notify Tasracing before transferring dogs and obtain written approval before euthanising animals, except in veterinary emergencies.
Dogs that have not raced for 12 months or reach six years old must be retired and cannot be re-registered.
Tasmania’s Racing Integrity Commissioner will be tasked with preparing a closure plan and will gain expanded powers to inspect greyhound facilities.
From July 2029, anyone conducting or participating in greyhound races could face penalties of up to 100 penalty units – currently $20,500 – or six months in jail.
The bill also removes all references to greyhound racing from Tasmania’s racing laws, leaving only thoroughbred and harness racing.
A parliamentary committee overseeing the greyhound racing transition has been set up to monitor the phase-out, with Howlett to appear before it on Friday.
“We will continue progressing the legislation to ensure that the important changes to safeguard animal welfare can be made in a timely fashion,” Howlett said.
