Andrea Dawkins MP | Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson
More than half of Australians want greyhound racing banned, according to the national Essential Research poll released today.*
While the poll hasn't segregated Tasmanian results, it's clear from the flood of emails State MPs are receiving, distaste for greyhound racing crosses Bass Strait.
Support for a nationwide ban on greyhound racing is climbing. That's no surprise, given the volume of animal cruelty evidence that's surfaced in the last 18 months.
Australians were shocked at the animal cruelty that underpins the greyhound racing industry revealed in last year's live baiting expose.
As the evidence of industry cruelty grows, there's been a swing from those who once didn't have a view on the greyhound racing, to now wanting the practice banned.
Growing understanding of how few greyhounds survive from birth to retirement, has helped turn public opinion.
In Tasmania, the State Government subsidies this cruel industry to the tune of about $5M. This is an industry that revolves around money, not animal welfare.
It's clear from the Essential Research poll that distaste for greyhound racing cuts across the political spectrum.
We hope Racing and Animal Welfare Minister Jeremy Rockliff will listen to the Tasmanians who are calling for a ban, reconsider the Liberal Government's position and ban greyhound racing.
* http://essentialmedia.cmail2.com/t/ViewEmail/r/9E3C9E6F4E1994602540EF23F...