The Hodgman Liberal Government has expressed in-principle support for a Parliamentary inquiry into the greyhound industry to examine if live baiting is occurring in Tasmania.
Any use of live baiting is illegal, disgusting and totally unacceptable.
While the Government has been advised by racing authorities that there has been no evidence of animals (dead or alive) being used to bait greyhounds in Tasmania since 2008, we believe the high level of public concern means a Parliamentary inquiry is warranted, and will assist to restore public confidence in the industry.
The Government has full confidence in the review the Director of Racing and the Chief Veterinary Officer are currently undertaking into Tasmania's arrangements for animal welfare in the greyhound racing industry, to ensure we have a robust system in our state. These two statutory officers are both independent from the racing industry commercial arm, Tasracing.
The findings of their urgent review, due to me by 13th March, will inform any subsequent Parliamentary inquiry which will be an additional longer term look at the state of the industry.
It is important that those in the greyhound industry who may be doing the wrong thing know that they are on notice. We will not tolerate live baiting, and I expect the Director of Racing and the Chief Veterinarian Officer's findings will assist me in ensuring this practice does not occur in Tasmania.