There are so many people opposed to the prospect of having a greyhound track in the Tweed area, it’s a wonder it’s still on the table, yet the plans for the ‘megatrack’ appear to be moving forward.
Animal Justice Party MLC Mark Pearson, says that if the Tweed region wants to remain the vibrant and attractive tourist and family destination that it is, investing millions into a greyhound megatrack that will become an empty eyesore before it’s paid off, is not the way to do it.
A politicised earthling
‘Is there a dog more politicised than the poor gentle greyhound? Five years on from Baird’s backflip on the banning of greyhound racing, it’s absurd to think this is an issue we’re still debating in the chambers of NSW Parliament.’
Mr Pearson says that just last week, the Tweed’s own proposed greyhound racing megatrack was subject to a good grilling at Budget Estimates. ‘The Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, was asked why an oval-shaped track is part of the Tweed Heads Coursing Club’s proposed Chinderah megatrack, despite evidence clearly showing that straight tracks are safest.
‘The Minister replied that having both a straight and oval track “provides an option” and that his aim is to have “zero injuries and zero deaths”.’
A lofty but ludicrous goal
Mr Pearson said that it’s a lofty goal, but sadly ludicrous, given the nature of the industry. ‘NSW greyhound track deaths are up 44 per cent on last year (up to 56 as of yesterday), and 2021 has seen 2546 racing-related injuries in NSW alone, with 462 of these considered major. A zero-death and zero-injury industry is nothing more than a pipe-dream.
‘When I posted about Anderson’s greyhound goals and the Tweed track on social media, a Tweed resident said: “Many of us are absolutely shocked this is going to happen here”.’
‘I’m shocked too. Animal exploitation and death aside, the proposed multi-million-dollar Tweed megatrack would be an economic disaster. We know the industry has already started its terminal decline: attendance at NSW greyhound races has dropped more than 50 per cent in the past decade alone. Even more importantly, the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds reports that 80 per cent of racing greyhound breeders, owners, and trainers are over the age of sixty-five, and that young people are failing to enter the industry – is it any wonder why?
Investing in greyhound racing about as wise as investing in coal
Mr Person said that clearly, investing in greyhound racing in 2021 is about as wise as investing in coal. ‘While the NSW Government insists on propping the industry up and forcing it to limp to the bitter end, it’s important to remember our government is an embarrassing oddity on the world stage.
‘Just look to America. Right now, over 400 members of the United States Congress are preparing to vote on the Greyhound Protection Act, a bill that would make it a federal crime to engage in commercial dog racing, including betting on Australian and other international races from America. Already banned in 47 of the 50 U.S. states, the end of American greyhound racing is near, and would leave just six countries with a commercial greyhound racing industry.
‘It’s a mortifying fact NSW is an international outlier in our fervid support of this cruel industry; we have almost the same number of greyhound tracks in NSW (32) as there are in the UK, US and NZ combined (34). But as the greyhounds of America are liberated from their kennels, state by state, the world is watching – and paying attention to those countries clinging to a gambling industry reliant on animal cruelty.
The U.S. Greyhound Protection Act
Mr Pearson said that over thirty international animal protection organisations have rallied together to endorse the U.S. Greyhound Protection Act. ‘I know, because I’ve joined them. My name was among many on a letter sent to every U.S. congress member, urging them to support the bill to ban greyhound racing. But the pressure isn’t just international. Here in NSW, just this year, a parliamentary inquiry was called to investigate the industry’s welfare body, the Greyhound Welfare Integrity Commission.
‘In the halls of NSW Parliament, I can feel the tide turning, and the industry is running scared. Just a couple of days after the release of a new white paper by the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds, every NSW MP received an email from Greyhound Racing NSW claiming the industry “exceeds” animal welfare standards. But statistics don’t lie, and we all know what’s really happening.
‘Greyhound racing is dying from a thousand cuts; and while the Tweed megatrack would be a single butterfly stitch on this gaping wound of an industry, rather than making it run another lap, it’d be kinder put this poor dog to sleep.
‘Northern NSW, you’d be right to reject the Chinderah megatrack. It’s the kindest option you have.’
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