Ending greyhound racing could save taxpayers $450m
William Ton and Callum Godde |
Ending greyhound racing could save taxpayers in one state hundreds of millions of dollars as another jurisdiction moves to phase out the sport.
Victoria will spend $451.6 million on greyhound racing subsidies between now and 2035/36, figures from the state’s independent parliamentary budget office show.
The calculation is based on the government’s predicted spend of $687.4 million on the industry over the next decade, minus expected revenue of $235.8 million.
The policy costing, requested by Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, didn’t consider any potential lawsuits against the Victorian government if it breached agreements for existing racing licences and contracts.
Ms Purcell conceded it could be some time before Victoria shut down the industry, pointing to the state Labor and Liberals operating on a unity ticket.
“We always knew that it would take just one of the small states to fall,” she told reporters at state parliament on Thursday.
“It’s only a matter of time before Victoria catches up.”
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has announced his state will phase out dog racing by mid-2029 as his minority Liberal government tries to woo independents after a snap election delivered another hung parliament.
He acknowledged the decision would be “extremely disappointing” for many, but said it had become increasingly clear the practice didn’t align with community expectations.
Victorian Racing Minister Anthony Carbines has signalled the state Labor government has no intention of following suit, pointing out its industry is much larger.
“The government here in Victoria backs Greyhound Racing Victoria,” he said after the Tasmanian announcement.
Victoria’s industry sustains more than 4800 full-time equivalent jobs and drives $844.8 million in economic activity, Greyhound Racing Victoria chief executive Stuart Laing says.
He noted the costing did not include direct income taxes on industry workers, payroll and corporate income taxes levied and net GST generated by businesses operating in the sector.
“The Victorian economy would be significantly worse off without the greyhound racing industry,” Mr Laing said.
Greyhound Racing NSW has voiced its “disgust” at the Tasmanian industry being used as a “political football”.
The ACT was the first Australian jurisdiction to end greyhound racing, banning the practice in 2018.
In 2023, South Australia’s greyhound racing industry was given two years to clean up its act or face closure after a review found inadequate animal welfare standards.
Former NSW Liberal premier Mike Baird unveiled a statewide ban in 2016, before sensationally ditching the plan within months.
NSW is awaiting findings from the long-running Drake inquiry following the release of a report by the state industry body’s former chief vet highlighting widespread animal welfare issues.
One of NSW’s best-known venues, Dapto Dogs, will also close in the coming year after nearly 90 years of hosting races.
A report from NSW’s Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission shows 856 dogs died or were euthanised in the nine months to the end of March 2025.
Five dogs died suddenly at race meetings and nine were put down at the track.
AAP
