“No more secrecy”: Greens on greyhound racing
Image: Independent Arbiter joins hands with the Greens on greyhound racing. Photo: Nancy W Beach
BY ANGIRA BHARADWAJ
Greens MP, Mehreen Faruqi is calling for greyhound racing documents that were previously kept secret to be a released to the public.
Ms Faruqi has challenged Greyhound Racing NSW to release thousands of documents deemed “privileged” in order to establish greater transparency on the controversial issue.
“The papers that have been released show an industry rife with animal cruelty and cover-ups, including evidence of widespread live baiting, evidence of vets falsely or misleadingly filing euthanasia certificates for dogs, the killing of pups considered not suitable for racing and the involvement of outlaw motorcycle clubs,” she said.
“Given that the NSW Government has indicated it intends to repeal the ban on greyhound racing, it is essential that the community has information about the decision making and evidence.”
Ms Faruqi has the support of the Independent Arbiter in her bid to secure the release of the papers.
In a report titled Report Under Standing Order 52 on Disputed Claim of Privileged: Greyhound Welfare, the Hon Keith Mason AC QC found the disputed documents should not be upheld as privileged.
“The independent arbiter has agreed with my assertion and stated that the vast majority of documents which I challenged are not privileged and should be seen by the public,” Ms Faruqi said.
She has now called on the NSW Government to allow the papers to be released.
“Transparency is rare in NSW politics which is why we must fight every move to unnecessarily hide information from the public,” she said.
Paul Toole, a spokesperson for the Minister for Racing, has indicated the Government will be working on reforming the greyhound racing industry.
“On 16 February, the Government released the report of the Greyhound Industry Reform Panel, which made 122 recommendations on matters including animal welfare and integrity.
“The panel consulted widely in developing their report, which will inform decisions of Government. The Government is currently developing its response to the 122 recommendations and that will be released in coming weeks,” the spokesperson said.
Greyhound Racing NSW were unavailable for comment.
Dr Faruqi has said that she will move a motion to release the remaining papers when Parliament resumes in early March.
