ANIMAL WELFARE —
GREYHOUND RACING INDUSTRY
363. Hon ALISON XAMON to the minister representing the
Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I
refer to the letters tabled in response to question without notice 269—namely,
the Minister for Racing and Gaming's correspondence with the
federal Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources seeking regulatory and
legislative change to prevent the exporting of greyhounds, and the federal
minister's response, which stated that he had attempted to implement
change but had not been able to secure the necessary support of the states and
territories.
(1) Did Western Australia
support the federal government's proposal to regulate greyhound exports
when it was raised at Agriculture Ministers' Forum in May 2016?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), does the
government still support the federal government's proposed approach?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question.
The following information has been provided to me by the Minister for Racing
and Gaming.
(1) I understand that regulations governing the
exporting of greyhounds from Australia were due to be discussed at the
Agriculture Ministers' Forum in May 2016. However, because this was
held in May 2016, which was prior to the McGowan government's election,
the Western Australian position on the issue would have been a matter for the former
Liberal–National government's consideration. However, since the
election in March 2017, the Minister for Racing and Gaming has taken a keen
interest in the welfare standards relating to the treatment of greyhounds in
the Western Australian greyhound racing industry, including the export of
greyhounds to countries with no or limited welfare laws.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Despite
Minister Papalia's letter to Minister Littleproud and subsequent
continued lobbying from Greyhounds Australasia, the federal government
continues to argue that the power for change rests with the states because it
requires their consensus before it can take action. However, I am advised that
improving the oversight and prevention of greyhound exports from Australia to
countries that do not meet the necessary welfare requirements can easily be
achieved through regulatory changes by the federal government under the Export
Control (Animals) Order 2004. Given the ongoing requests from Greyhounds
Australasia, which is the representative body of the greyhound racing industry
nationally and liaises with relevant state industry bodies, such as RWWA, I suggest
that the decision for change and action is the responsibility of the federal
government.