Lacking Transparency

We bring you an update regarding Free The Hounds’ petition to ban greyhound racing in WA. Regretfully, the State Government has decided to ignore the voices of 18,500 Western Australians who wish to see an end to this cruel ‘sport’.

The State Government’s decision was unacceptable to Free The Hounds, so we requested that the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs (the government body which considers petitions) advise the bases on which it made its decision, including whether they solely relied on the inaccurate information provided to them by Minister Whitby (Minister for Racing and Gaming) and Minister Jarvis (Minister for Agriculture and Food).

The response that we received was three lines long and stated, “The deliberations of the Committee in considering the petition are privileged and confidential”.

It is incomprehensible that the Standing Committee would completely disregard the voices of 18,500 Western Australians concerned about greyhound welfare violations, and then hide behind privilege and confidentiality when called into question, but we are now more determined than ever to get transparency from the State Government and the Standing Committee.

We ask that our followers please email their local Member of Parliament (MP) urging them to press the Standing Committee to reveal what steps they took, if any at all, to verify the inaccurate information provided to them by Ministers Whitby and Jarvis. The people of Western Australia deserve transparency and accountability from their Government.

Here’s how it all went down…

We would like to share with you the correspondence that has taken place between Free The Hounds, Ministers Whitby and Jarvis, and the Standing Committee to date:

  1. 17 October 2022 –  Letter to Standing Committee with covering letter
  2. 2022 Petition Response from Standing Committee
  3. 2022 Petition Response R Whitby
  4. 2022 Petition Response J Jarvis
  5. 10 May 2023 – Letter to the Standing Committee Final
  6. 17 May 2023 – Further Response from Standing Committee

Sincerely,

Free The Hounds

Free The Hounds acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to elders both past and present.

We are committed to building an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity represented in our community. We welcome all people regardless of age, gender identity, ethnicity, ability, sexuality, faith, religion, and all other identities represented in our community.