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Animal welfare should be non-negotiable, but the cruelty of the racing industry is being subsidised with $30 million a year of taxpayer funds.

More and more information is coming to light about the cruel practices that affect thousands of animals every year.

The 2016 Parliamentary Inquiry into Greyhound Racing, initiated by the Greens, exposed rampant cruelty of that industry within Tasmania. A series of high profile incidents and recent national news has also raised serious questions about the horseracing industry.

Giving public funds to these industries encourages more animals to be bred and killed. This taxpayer funded cruelty must be stopped.

 

What Can I Do?

You can contact the Minister for Racing and ask Minister Howlett why she thinks the racing industry warrants $30m in government funding.

You can also contact Guy Barnett, Minister for Primary Industries (responsible for the Animal Welfare Act), and Labor’s Primary Industries spokesperson, Shane Broad and ask them to support the Greens’ Animal Welfare Amendment (Reformation) Bill.

 

In Parliament and the Media


Sad Horse

TT-Line – Polo Pony Deaths

Putting aside the ongoing court case, the report of the autopsy report from the trainer, is that the horses suffocated.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Estimates  |  Tuesday, 8 December 2020


Greyhound, Lying Down

Estimates Reply - Minister Howlett

Again this year we focused on the two major codes which are horseracing and greyhounds.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Estimates  |  Wednesday, 2 December 2020


Greyhound, Lying Down

Racing – Missing Dogs

At any given time, there's a series of dogs that are not seen again.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Estimates  |  Thursday, 26 November 2020


Bureaucracy, Professional with Paperwork

Racing – Steward Inspections

How many unannounced steward inspections of greyhound and horse racing premises were undertaken in the past financial year?
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Estimates  |  Thursday, 26 November 2020


Sad Horse

Racing – Ex-Racing Horses

Ulverstone Pet Food abattoir is a big sponsor of greyhound racingx. Horses are seen going in and they never come out.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Estimates  |  Thursday, 26 November 2020


Greyhound, Lying Down

Racing – Greyhounds with Prohibited Substances

Susan Gittus was charged on 16 October because her racing dog, Fitzgerald Grant, was found with a prohibited substance.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Estimates  |  Thursday, 26 November 2020


Sad Horse

Horseracing Industry - Ban on the Use of Whips

The tide is turning. Every year more people are understanding the systemic cruelty inflicted on animals as part of the horse and greyhound racing industries.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Question  |  Thursday, 12 November 2020


Sad Horse

Cruelty Can’t Continue, Howlett Must Ban Whip

In Parliament, Racing Minister Jane Howlett refused to agree a ban on whips in horse racing is necessary, and in line with growing public concern.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Thursday, 12 November 2020


Sad Horse

Greens Say Nup to the Cup

A growing number of Australians are saying ‘Nup to the Cup’ this Melbourne Cup Day. The Greens are proud to stand with them.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Tuesday, 3 November 2020


Greyhound, Lying Down

Greyhound Industry Beyond Repair

The rules governing the greyhound industry are not protecting animals and are allowing trainers to side-step consequences for breaches. 
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Thursday, 29 October 2020


Greyhound, Lying Down

COVID-19 Racing and Animal Welfare Support

The Greens are glad to hear the government have placed a deliberate focus on the welfare of greyhounds and horses not currently racing because of COVID-19.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Tuesday, 7 April 2020


Greyhound, Lying Down

Animal Welfare Must be Protected Through COVID-19

The decision to restrict the movements of Tasmanians is full of challenges but it’s required to save lives.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Friday, 3 April 2020


Greyhound, Lying Down

Liberal Lies on Animal Welfare

Racing Minister, Jane Howlett’s defence of the government's record on animal welfare is pathetic.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Friday, 13 March 2020


Chickens, Battery Cages

Australia Receives a 'D' for Animal Welfare

The announcement that Australia has scored a 'D' in the Animal Protection Index will dismay every Tasmanian who cares about the welfare of animals.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Thursday, 12 March 2020


Greyhound, Lying Down

2019 Government Businesses Scrutiny Committee - Tasracing

Full transcript of the Tasracing Pty Ltd hearings in the 2019 Government Businesses Scrutiny Committee.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Estimates  |  Tuesday, 3 December 2019


Greyhound, Lying Down

Racing Industry Cruelty

The 7.30 Report pieces together the endemic cruelty on which that racing industry is fundamentally based.
Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Speech  |  Thursday, 31 October 2019


Sad Horse

Racing Industry Cruelty

Next Tuesday in Melbourne, the race that stops the nation will be underway at 3 p.m.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Speech  |  Thursday, 31 October 2019


Sad Horse

Thoroughbred Racing Horses - Transportation to Interstate Ab...

Cassy O'Connor questions the Minister for Racing on the grotesque cruelty inflicted on thoroughbred racing and trotting horses in Tasmania.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Question  |  Thursday, 31 October 2019


Sad Horse

Horse Carcass Location

During this year's budget Estimates we asked about the circumstances surrounding the death of a horse on 31 May at Brighton.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Speech  |  Tuesday, 30 July 2019


Sad Horse

Race Horse Death at Brighton Training Grounds

Madam Speaker, I am off and racing because I want to speak briefly about the mystery of the horse death at the Brighton training grounds on Friday, 31 May.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Speech  |  Friday, 14 June 2019


Spirit of Tasmania, TT-Line Vessel

Estimates Reply - Attorney-General

Cassy O'Connor delivers a reply to budget estimates, discussing the death of a horse at the Brighton training tracks.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Estimates  |  Wednesday, 12 June 2019


Greyhound, Lying Down

Greens Table Bill to Strengthen Animal Rights

Tasmania’s animal welfare laws fail to protect the rights of animal to live free from cruelty and neglect, placing emphasis on the profits of industry. 
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Sunday, 16 September 2018


Sad Horse

Greens Back RSPCA Call to Ban Whips in Horse Racing

The Greens commend the RSPCA for their position to ban whips in horse racing industry, as a matter of priority.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  Tuesday, 7 November 2017


Greyhound, Lying Down

Greyhound Unmuzzling Changes Welcome

The Greens welcome the government’s amendment to the Dog Control Act that will allow rehabilitated greyhounds to be muzzle-free.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  Thursday, 2 November 2017


Greyhound, Lying Down

Greyhound Muzzling Changes Welcome

As a result of community pressure on amendments to the Dog Control Act Tasmania's greyhounds are now on the pathway to becoming muzzle free.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  Monday, 5 June 2017


Greyhound, Lying Down

Hundreds Rally to End Greyhound Cruelty

Hundreds rallied on Parliament Lawns today to call for an end to greyhound racing in Tasmania.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  Sunday, 9 April 2017


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Tasmanian Pacing Club Harness Racing

The Tasmanian Pacing Club did not vote on a motion to prohibit whips at harness racing in the State put to the Annual General Meeting.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Motion  |  Tuesday, 15 November 2016


Greyhound, Lying Down

Baird as Weak as Hodgman on Greyhound Welfare

Like his Tasmanian colleague, Premier Hodgman, Mike Baird has caved in to a cruel industry to allow the continued abuse of animals for profit.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  Tuesday, 11 October 2016


Greyhound, Lying Down

Animal Welfare Act to Include Mental Suffering as Abuse

The Animal Welfare Act Review recommended amending the Animal Welfare Act 1993 to clarify that pain and suffering includes Mental suffering.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Motion  |  Tuesday, 20 September 2016


Greyhound, Lying Down

Greyhound Report Disappointing, Greens Call for Ban

People who care about the welfare of animals will be upset not to see a ban on greyhound racing among the recommendations.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  Wednesday, 14 September 2016


Greyhound, Lying Down

Greyhound Racing Ban

In the wake of the New South Wales Premier, Mike Baird, passing legislation to ban greyhound racing, Andrea Dawkins asks the Premier if he will do the same.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Speech  |  Wednesday, 24 August 2016


Greyhound, Lying Down

Liberals and Labor on Wrong Side of History on Greyhounds

The greyhound racing industry has lost its social licence. Both Labor and the Liberal parties are on the wrong side of history.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  Wednesday, 24 August 2016


Greyhound, Lying Down

Cruel and Weak-Will Liberals Ignore Greyhound Deaths

The Premier's response in Question Time today to the 1,608 greyhounds who have been killed over the past three years was heartless.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  Wednesday, 24 August 2016


Greyhound, Lying Down

Greens Call for Tasmanian Greyhound Racing Ban

Andrea Dawkins tables a motion calling on the Premier to ban greyhound racing in Tasmania.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Motion  |  Tuesday, 23 August 2016


Greyhound, Lying Down

Deceased Greyhounds List a Snapshot of Industry

TasRacing has released the names of 16 greyhounds reported deceased for the first six months of this year.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  Wednesday, 17 August 2016


Greyhound, Lying Down

Public Distaste for Greyhound Racing

More than half of Australians want greyhound racing banned, according to the national Essential Research poll released today.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  Tuesday, 19 July 2016


Sad Horse

TasRacing Soft on Animal Welfare Concerns

In GBE Estimates today, Tas Racing CEO, Doctor Eliot Forbes, seemed to struggle to accept the reality of animal welfare issues facing the racing industry.
Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  Wednesday, 2 December 2015


Spirit of Tasmania, TT-Line Vessel

Appointments Welcome, Still No GBE Gender Balance

The announcement today of two new women appointed to the Board of the Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB) is a welcome step forward.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Tuesday, 1 December 2015


Greyhound, Lying Down

Greyhound Racing Industry

The Report is a good start in reforming the animal welfare standards of greyhound racing in Tasmania, but we have got a major task ahead of us.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Wednesday, 25 March 2015


Greyhound, Lying Down

Greyhound Parliamentary Inquiry One Step Closer

The Tasmanian Greens tabled a Notice of Motion to establish a Joint House Parliamentary Inquiry into practices in Tasmania's greyhound racing industry.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Tuesday, 3 March 2015


Greyhound, Lying Down

State Greyhound Racing Industry Inquiry

A Greens' Motion to establish a Joint House Parliamentary Inquiry into Tasmania's greyhound racing industry looks set to pass the House of Assembly this month
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Sunday, 1 March 2015


Greyhound, Lying Down

Greyhound Inquiry Pressure Grows

The Labor Opposition are sounding weak and indecisive on the need to properly investigate animal welfare standards in the greyhound industry.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Tuesday, 24 February 2015


Greyhound, Lying Down

State Greyhound Inquiry Concerns

The Tasmanian Greens will move to establish a joint House Inquiry into the greyhound racing industry when Parliament resumes in March.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Sunday, 22 February 2015


Greyhound, Lying Down

State Greyhound Live Baiting Inquiry

The Minister has shied away from an independent investigation into whether or not gross animal cruelty in happening in the greyhound racing industry.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Thursday, 19 February 2015


Greyhound, Lying Down

Greyhound Cruelty Needs Independent Investigation

Minister Rockliff must guarantee that any Tasmanian greyhound industry investigation into live baiting is independent and transparent.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Wednesday, 18 February 2015