Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) has launched a public awareness campaign, The Truth About Greyhound Racing, aimed at highlighting changes to the industry over the past decade and addressing what it describes as misinformation.
The campaign was launched at a Parliament House event this week attended by NSW Minister for Racing David Harris.
It features a video and a series of infographics presenting industry statistics and data sourced from independent organisations.
According to GRNSW, the campaign highlights reductions in serious injuries, the rehoming of more greyhounds than are bred each year, and the industry’s economic contribution to NSW. It says the industry receives no taxpayer funding and contributes more than $750 million annually to the state’s economy.
“Greyhound racing in NSW has come a long way in 10 years, it’s just that the general public don’t know about it, so we’re presenting those facts,” GRNSW chief executive Steve Griffin said.
“We have led the way right across Australia when it comes to reform. We’re very proud of that fact, and we want everyone in the community to be aware of that.”
The event was hosted by the Parliamentary Friends of Greyhounds (PFOG). Rugby league player Jack Wighton and GRNSW media spokesperson Renee Gartner also attended.
Harris said parliamentarians should support the industry and respond to criticism with evidence.
“There’s a lot of people who want to end greyhound racing, and we say that’s not a legitimate end. We must defend the industry and make sure, the industry is the best that it can be,” he said.
“When you’re talking about an industry like greyhounds, you should be arguing facts with facts. and for too long there’s been misrepresentation of the industry, which has put it in a bad light.
“Now the government has taken a course where we have been firm but fair in trying to make the industry be as good as it can be, so that it’s sustainable into the future, and in NSW we’re getting that balance right.
“You can see every statistic when it comes to animal welfare is massively improving, and that means that everybody involved in the industry is working their hardest to make sure that we have the very best welfare for dogs while they’re racing, and when they retire, they also continue to have an amazing life, and that’s the balance I think Greyhound Racing NSW is getting correct.
“All the statistics back that up, and as members of Parliament, we need to get behind them and make sure that we’re getting the right messaging out there.
“I give that commitment that we’ll continue to work (with GRNSW) – and we have some pretty fulsome meetings and discussions, but that’s because I want to see greyhound racing not just survive but thrive, and that’s in all of our best interests, particularly in rural NSW where the sport generates so many jobs right across our communities, including my community on the Central Coast.
“We have to make sure that we all get behind this industry, which is such an important economic driver in NSW.”
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