The Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, has called for a parliamentary inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW), urging that any decisions to close regional greyhound racing tracks be suspended until the inquiry is completed.
GRNSW recently released an Optimisation Report recommending the closure of 15 country tracks across New South Wales, including facilities at Tamworth and Moree.
Mr Butler raised the issue in a Private Members’ Statement to the NSW Parliament, outlining proposed terms of reference for the inquiry. These include:
- The objectives of GRNSW and their appropriateness
- Equitable access to GRNSW funding for regional clubs
- The level of support provided to smaller regional racing facilities
- The role and objectives of the Greyhound Welfare Integrity Commission (GWIC)
- Greyhound welfare measures, including rehoming programs
- GRNSW’s financial management, including contract and employment arrangements
Mr Butler also signalled the need to review and potentially amend GRNSW’s stated objectives to reflect the broader social and cultural significance of greyhound racing in rural communities.
“Country areas lack the social and recreational opportunities that our metropolitan and coastal cousins have,” said Mr Butler. “Greyhound racing provides family-friendly entertainment and builds social connections in many country communities.”
“GRNSW should be obliged to consider this social and cultural role while administering the sport, but the organisation’s ‘objectives’ are instead focused on commercial outcomes.
“The criteria of GRNSW’s Optimisation Report were designed so that the final report recommended closing country racetracks to maximise gambling profits.
“But a proportion of gambling revenue should be directed towards the continuation of greyhound racing in country communities,” Mr Butler said.
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