Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Leader and Animal Welfare spokesperson
The Liberals have ignored legitimate animal welfare concerns, along with the will of thousands of Tasmanians and continued to back in the cruel greyhound racing industry.
More than 13,500 Tasmanians signed an e-petition to end public subsidies to greyhound racing – making it the biggest e-petition in Tasmanian Parliamentary history.
Signatories to the petition know this is an industry that wouldn’t survive without tens of millions in taxpayer money.
The Racing Minister’s response to the record-breaking petition was as outdated as the brutal industry itself. Greyhound racing has cruelty at its core and a growing number of Tasmanians want no part in paying for it.
This industry, that breeds dogs to die or be cast aside when they don’t run fast enough, has had its time. Minister Ogilvie and her Liberal colleagues are on the wrong side of history.
To the thousands of Tasmanians who put their name to the record-breaking petition, I assure you the Greens won’t give up. We will always be a voice in Parliament for these sensitive, gentle dogs who fall victim to this industry.
The momentum to end the cruelty of greyhound racing is only growing, as the industry continues to lose its social license. We won’t let the Liberals or Labor - which also ardently backs in the industry - off the hook on animal welfare.