Tasmania: Greyhound racing to be banned as Premier wrangles votes
One state’s government funding for greyhound racing will be phased out by 2029, effectively ending the sport’s future in the jurisdiction.
The end of Tasmanian government support for the greyhound racing industry will coincide with the end of the current funding deed as Premier Jeremy Rockliff works to shore up support from independents as he leads a minority government.
The decision comes after a “great” of Tasmanian greyhound racing, Raider’s Guide, was euthanised on July 28 after falling and breaking its neck at a Launceston track.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The four-year-old dog had been named the Greyhound of the Year in January after notching 17 wins in 2024.
Mr Rockliff said the time had come to make a call on the future of greyhound racing in Tasmania.
“It’s time to draw a line in the sand and ensure an orderly exit from greyhound racing in Tasmania,” he said on Sunday.
He acknowledged the news would be “extremely disappointing” for many in the greyhound industry, but said it had become increasingly clear it didn’t align with community expectations.
RSPCA Tasmanian commended the Rockliff government’s plan to phase out greyhound racing, labelling it a “relic of the past”, and urged all elected representatives to support the ban.
“Let the death of Raider’s Guide be the catalyst for lasting change, and may this decision mark a new chapter in our community’s progress on animal welfare,” its chief executive Andrea Dawkins said in a statement.
Mr Rockliff was reinstalled as premier on Wednesday after the governor granted his request to form a minority government.
Neither his Liberals with 14 seats nor Labor with 10 have secured the required 18 to govern in their own right after a snap election produced another hung parliament.
The Greens, with five seats, and Independent Kristie Johnston have advocated for the banning of greyhound racing.
Mr Rockliff and Labor leader Dean Winter have no formal agreements of support with the 11 minor party MPs and independents.
The ACT banned greyhound racing in 2018. Veteran economist Saul Eslake recently reviewed the state’s finances, finding greyhound racing in Tasmania was almost entirely dependent on government funding.
At the time his report was published in May, Mr Eslake said the industry would receive $7.5 million in state funding in 2024-25 alone.
He said the state was spending more than twice the national average to keep the sport afloat.
