UPDATE: The Tasmanian government will end its funding for greyhound racing in the state by 2029, winding up the industry. This is a win for the community, for every Tasmanian who cares about animals and animal welfare. Morally, it’s the right thing to do. Importantly this is a win for the legions of tireless advocates, for the people who signed petitions and for those who quietly aligned quite some time ago to withdraw the social licence for this cruelty to continue.
The end to taxpayer funding for Tasmanian greyhound racing is in sight, with a sensible pathway to phasing it out by 2029 being a no-brainer after a new report exposes the lies that keep it going and the truths that lay bare its terminal decline.
Economist Saul Eslake’s report, The financing of greyhound racing in Tasmania, released today urges Governments to stop “throwing good money after bad” and end their funding of greyhound racing.
A 20-year funding deal for greyhound racing done in 2009 with the sale of the state-owned gambling business Tote Tasmania, known as “the funding deed”, will expire in June 2029.
With polls showing 79% of Tasmanians oppose greyhound racing, the industry has lost its social licence and have been relying on economic reasons for continued government subsidies. But the Eslake report blows that claim out of the water too.
It makes economic sense to stop taxpayers propping up greyhound racing as soon as possible, before 2029 if possible. But 2029 presents as the absolute end date for a phase out to conclude. And with polls showing 79% of Tasmanians oppose greyhound racing it clearly makes social sense too.
The report shows:
* Greyhound racing in Tasmania is almost entirely dependent on government funding, characterised by increasing ‘investment’ for diminishing ‘return’.
* The jobs and economic activity ‘created’ by greyhound racing activities are substantially exaggerated, highly contested, and even when taken at face value are quite small.
* At face value, they amount to just 0.2% of gross state product and of total employment in Tasmania.
* A 26% decline in the amount wagered on greyhound races over the past three years.
* The Tasmanian Government continues to fund greyhound racing more generously than any other jurisdiction, to the tune of $12.70 per head of population in 2023-24, more than double the average for all states and territories of $5.27 per head.
* Over the past 15 years greyhound racing has received a total of $74.6 million from Tasracing, rising from $3.5 million in 2010-11 to a projected $7.5 million in 2024-25.
The economic analysis was commissioned by a coalition of 12 animal welfare advocacy organisations, including RSPCA Tasmania and Dogs Homes of Tasmania.
Framework for greyhound racing phase out – Kristie Johnston MP