Tasmanian Labor leader Josh Willie says the greyhound racing industry can survive without government funding and “stand on its own two feet” from 2029.
His comments follow Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s announcement last week that government funding for the industry will end in 2029, whether or not legislation to ban the sport passes parliament.
“There’ll be no more funding for greyhound racing from the Tasmanian government beyond 2029,” Rockliff said at Agfest on Friday.
The bill is now heading to a Legislative Council committee inquiry, after the government paused debate in the upper house because it didn’t have the numbers to pass the bill.
Speaking at a press conference over the weekend, Willie said Labor backed “the three codes of racing” and there was “no need” to shut greyhound racing down.
He said the industry “ran at a loss of $3 million last year” and was “the most commercial” of the three codes.
“From 2029 onwards, the Labor Party will help the greyhound industry stand on its own two feet,” Willie said.
He said the premier was making “promises he can’t keep” and that the government “has an obligation to regulate” the industry unless laws passed parliament.
“The only reason that Premier Rockliff is trying to shut down the industry is because he did a deal to save his job,” he said.
Government whip Marcus Vermey said Labor’s position did not stack up and called on Willie to back the phase-out legislation.
“Now that Labor has agreed to defund greyhound racing in 2029 they must now support the legislation to ensure an orderly transition,” Vermey said.
He said the bill delivered a “fair and measured transition” with compensation for trainers and “the highest animal welfare standards for the dogs”.
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, a ban on putting down healthy dogs and a $4.8 million compensation package for participants.
