The Tasmanian government says it will compensate greyhound racing participants under changes to legislation designed to phase out the industry before the end of the decade.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said today the state would support those affected by the ban, though he did not reveal how much the package would cost.
Details of the compensation framework will be included in amendments to the Greyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform) Bill.
Funding figures will be revealed in the state budget later this year.
“As we progress the phaseout of greyhound racing in Tasmania by June 2029, we will ensure participant and animal welfare are the priority,” Rockliff said.
The announcement comes as the legislation heads back to the upper house, which sits for the first time this year on Tuesday when parliament resumes.
The bill passed the lower house in December but was sent to a Legislative Council committee, pushing back a timeline the government had hoped to meet by now.
Racing Minister Jane Howlett said the government was delivering a “measured and sensible phaseout” with proper parliamentary scrutiny.
“Consultation during this process has already been extensive and the Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner will undertake further consultation during the development of the phaseout plan, which forms part of the bill,” Howlett said.
The Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner is developing a transition plan that will be made public and tabled in parliament.
The government’s decision to ban greyhound racing, announced last year, has been fiercely contested by Labor and industry advocates who say the move was politically motivated.
Labor argues the decision was made to secure the support of the Greens and several independents so the Liberals could retain government.
The industry has mounted an aggressive lobbying campaign to derail the legislation, while animal welfare groups have urged the upper house to hold firm.
Polling by EMRS shows 74% of Tasmanians support ending greyhound racing.
If passed, the legislation will immediately ban breeding greyhounds for racing and prohibit the non-medical euthanasia of racing dogs.
The government has pledged no healthy greyhound will lose its life as part of the transition, with all dogs to be rehomed by mid-2029.
