Breaking: Tasmanian government tries to avert parliamentary defeat of greyhound racing ban

Coverage Comparison

The Tasmanian government has postponed debate on its bill to ban greyhound racing in the state, a move that reflects its struggle to secure enough votes in the Legislative Council. According to multiple reports from ABC Australia, the government needs the support of at least three of the five independents in the upper house to pass the legislation. However, as of now, only one independent — Dean Harriss, the member for Huon — has indicated he might support the ban, and only under certain conditions.

Reports from ABC Australia describe the government's decision to defer the debate to the next sitting, expected in mid-May, as a tactical retreat in the face of certain defeat. The ABC notes that several independents, including Casey Hiscutt, voiced concerns about the process and the lack of information provided. In one article, Hiscutt is quoted as saying, "We're not suspending the debate on this issue we were discussing last night because of a lack of information. We're suspending it because of a lack of support."

Across multiple ABC stories, the tone varies from neutral to critical. One report uses the phrase "naked, transactional politics" to describe the government's maneuvering, while another highlights the premier's assertion that 74% of Tasmanians support the ban.

Key Claims

• Deferral of the vote: According to ABC Australia, the Tasmanian government has deferred debate on the greyhound racing ban bill to the next sitting of parliament, which is expected in mid-May. This decision was made after it became clear the bill lacked sufficient support in the Legislative Council.

• Compensation package: Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced a $4.8 million compensation package for greyhound industry participants on Sunday, as reported by ABC. The package is intended to "exit with dignity" for those affected by the proposed ban. However, the industry has described the offer as inadequate.

• Industry's counter-offer: Greyhounds Tasmania public officer Claire Robins told reporters that the industry is seeking annual compensation of $25 million over five years, totaling $125 million. She compared this to the New Zealand model, which she said involved a figure well into the $100 million. This claim, however, is carried by a single source and has not been independently verified.

• Dean Harriss's conditional support: In a statement reported by ABC, Dean Harriss said he would support the bill if the compensation package is improved. He noted that the current offer, on a per capita basis, is less than half of what was proposed to the New Zealand industry.

• RSPCA open letter: RSPCA chief executive Andrea Dawkins released an open letter signed by 1,000 prominent Tasmanians urging support for the ban, as reported by ABC.

• Funding agreement: The current TasRacing funding agreement for the greyhound industry runs out in 2029, according to a report from ABC. This detail is mentioned in one source and appears to be undisputed.

Perspectives

The debate over the greyhound racing ban involves several distinct viewpoints. The Tasmanian government, led by Premier Jeremy Rockliff, argues that the ban is justified by public opinion and the findings of an economist's report that public funding for the industry is unprofitable. The premier has cited polling showing 74% of Tasmanians support the phased ban.

On the other hand, the greyhound racing industry contends that the compensation package is grossly inadequate. Industry representatives point to the New Zealand precedent and argue that the government's offer would leave participants with little more than a fraction of what they need to transition out of the sport. The industry also emphasizes the broken promise, noting that participants were encouraged to invest in the industry up until the ban was announced.

Independent MLCs, while not necessarily opposed to the ban in principle, have raised concerns about the process and the lack of detailed information about the compensation package. Dean Harriss's conditional support highlights a middle ground: he is willing to back the ban but only if the financial package is significantly improved.

Pro-animal welfare groups, such as the RSPCA, strongly support the ban, as evidenced by the open letter signed by 1,000 prominent Tasmanians. They argue that the industry is cruel and should be phased out.

As the debate is deferred to mid-May, the government faces a significant challenge to secure the votes needed. The outcome will depend on whether a revised compensation package can satisfy the concerns of the crossbench and the industry.