paul mallett believes greyhound racing should be banned, with a negotiated phase out period. Ideally racing should end on or before the current industry funding agreement expiry date in 2029.

paul holds this positions based primarily on animal welfare concerns, including concerns over injury rates and euthanasia rates among racing greyhounds. Additionally, paul believes public funds used to subsidise the industry should be allocated to other community building initiatives or credited to budget repair.

paul struggles to align the positive intent and care that generations of greyhound trainers and industry workers have invested in the care of  their racing dogs, with the weight of evidence that show many dogs have suffered. That said, paul is outraged at those trainers and industry workers who have operated in an abhorrent manner, including physical overexertion of dogs, “inadequate housing, lack of socialisation and environmental enrichment, cruel training practices, illegal live baiting, administration of banned or unregistered substances, and euthanasia of poorly performing or unwanted dogs” (per Andrew Wilkie).

On balance, paul weighs the welfare of animals above the need for a racing-gambling-entertainment product. With reportedly diminishing attendance at race meets, and approximately 4 in 5 Tasmanian’s in support of a racing ban, the time has come for the Tasmanian government to phase-out the industry.

It is estimated that approximately $75m in state funding has been provided to the industry over the last 15 years. It is clear that without this funding the industry would be unsustainable. With the greyhound racing industry contributing minimal return to the economy for this investment, paul believes on economic grounds the subsidy should end. The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) is also considered an expensive program, estimated to be $17k per dog annually. Not-for-profit animal shelters can reportedly rehabilitate and rehome dogs at low or no cost. Rehoming racing greyhounds should be done at the lowest cost possible.

Inspiration

New Zealand has announced a ban on greyhound racing that is due to take effect on 1 August 2026. The transition period in New Zealand was designed to enable the industry to rehome racing greyhounds and support the transition of workers. paul agrees a similar transition period and support package should be negotiated in Tasmania. paul also supports the introduction of a law to ban the euthanasia of healthy greyhounds during this transition period unless performed by a vet for specified reasons.