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Parliamentary Inquiry into animal welfare issues in the Western Australian greyhound racing industry recommended

Recommendation – The Legislative Council in the 42nd Parliament establish a select committee to inquire into and report on animal welfare issues in the Western Australian greyhound racing industry.

On 18 September 2024, the Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations tabled their Report on hearings arising under Committee term of reference 3.3(a)(ii): the financial operations and funding pathways of greyhound racing in Western Australia in Parliament. The report arises out of a request by Free the Hounds for the Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations (Committee) to inquire into the financial operations and distribution of Government funding to the sport of greyhound racing by Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA). Free The Hounds have tried to obtain information on the level of taxpayer funding of greyhound racing in WA for many years, to no avail. As a result of this lack of financial transparency, on 22 September 2023 Free The Hounds requested that this be investigated by a Parliamentary Committee. In its request, Free the Hounds highlighted the following issues:

– the lack of transparency in the funding pathways involved in supporting greyhound racing
– the cost of greyhound racing to the taxpayer
– the viability of greyhound racing in Western Australia from a financial and social perspective
 -the many harms caused by problem gambling
– the relentless greyhound injuries and deaths caused by the industry.

The Committee sought the feedback from the Honourable Paul Papalia MLA, Minister for Racing and Gaming on this request who advised that, in his view overall the greyhound racing industry in Western Australia provides a net positive economic benefit and is not reliant on government funding. It would seem that the Committee were not convinced by this as they held public hearings with the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association (WAGRA), RWWA and Free the Hounds on 8 May and 12 June 2024 to consider the serious concerns raised by Free the Hounds and to enable the Committee to obtain a greater understanding of the issues.

The Committee heard that greyhound racing is largely funded through the racing bets levy (RBL). The Gaming and Wagering Commission of Western Australia collects the RBL and transfers it to RWWA for distribution to race clubs. RWWA describes funding for greyhound racing as income from the State Government in its 2022-23 annual report. The Minister explained, “the RBL is collected by the Gaming and Wagering Commission of Western Australia and then transferred to RWWA for distribution to race clubs, and this is why it shows up in the RWWA annual report as income from the State Government”. It shows as income from the State Government because that’s exactly what it is; tax income that could be spent on any number of worthy causes, which instead is being used to prop up an otherwise bankrupt industry.  In 2022-23 WAGRA received $30,435,452 from RWWA in RBL income, as well as $579,439 in RWWA grants. In terms of racing and other income, in 2022-23 greyhound owners received $32.4 million. This included $17.9 million in prize money and $1.6 million in breeding bonuses – for breeding dogs for the relentless meatgrinder that is the racing industry.

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The Committee acknowledged that in recent years, the greyhound racing industry has attracted “significant controversy” in Australia.  Quite the understatement. Concerns over greyhound welfare have been aired in all jurisdictions in which racing occurs. This includes petitions calling for the banning of the industry. There have been 6 such petitions tabled in the Western Australian Parliament since 2016.

During the Committee’s hearings various issues were raised, including the following
concerning greyhound welfare:
– the poor track safety for greyhounds, including comparing straight to round racing tracks
– the increase from 9 to 23 deaths of greyhounds on track from 2022-23 to 2023-24
– the inaccuracy of track side examination and the vague way RWWA lists severe injuries
– the absence of veterinarians at public greyhound racing trials (public trials)
– the circumstances in which many greyhounds are euthanised
– the lack of traceability of greyhounds by RWWA once they exit the industry
– the number of greyhound breeders in Western Australia
– a breeding scheme providing an incentive to breed greyhound pups in Western Australia by the payment of bonuses to breeders
– greyhound rehoming and overbreeding and the lack of transparency in both
– RWWA’s reporting of injuries using starters instead of individual dogs
– the lack of independent oversight of greyhound racing
– hereditary disorders in greyhounds such as pannus (eye condition) and dental diseases
– the move from the Greyhound Injury Full Recovery Scheme and the Greyhound Injury Surgery Rebate (ceased on 31 January 2024) to the Greyhound Recovery Initiative (commenced 1 February 2024).

Based on all the evidence heard, the Committee declared two findings:

  1. There has been a 155% increase in the number of on track greyhound deaths from the 2022 to 2023 financial years, despite investment in animal welfare measures.
  2. There is a lack of clarity regarding the overall number and reporting of greyhound deaths and
    serious injuries.

Unsurprisingly, the Committee concluded that there is a clear public interest in the issues raised being fully investigated by a parliamentary committee. This is more than warranted given the serious animal welfare concerns raised by Free the Hounds and the dubious nature of the claims of the benefits of the industry to the State. Further, to the Committee’s knowledge, unlike some other Australian jurisdictions, there has not been a detailed inquiry into the industry in Western Australia.
The Committee found that further evidence should be gathered to enable the issues to be explored and analysed in greater detail, including through submissions from stakeholders and in hearings. On this basis, they recommended that the Legislative Council in the 42nd Parliament establish a select committee to inquire into and report on animal welfare issues in the Western Australian greyhound racing industry.  We will of course follow, and participate in these proceedings in our efforts to bring about justice for the abused greyhounds of WA.

The full report can be found at https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/publications/tabledpapers.nsf/displaypaper/4113540cae1ccafd59d7af4a48258b9d0026a51d/$file/tp-3540.pdf

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