Local MPs Michael McCormack (federal) and Dr Joe McGirr (state) were upset that GRNSW has earmarked the Wagga Wagga track for closure on animal welfare grounds.
It must have been a shock to them that the industry propaganda they’ve swallowed all these years was wrong.
The GRNSW track optimisation plan, released in October, recommended 12 tracks as a sustainable number in NSW, with more than half having to close.
The Wagga Wagga track is one of those selected to close as it is failing to help GRNSW’s struggle for survival. It is an unsafe track.
Wagga was ranked 20th out of 26 tracks in the GRNSW plan, in the “lower” band of tracks. These tracks typically don’t meet minimum standards and have “poor injury records leading to concerns around greyhound welfare standards”.
Wagga is rated “below average” for serious injuries in the GRSNW track performance rating. In one quarter alone, the track dropped from “well above average” to “well below average”.
Fake economics
McCormack and McGirr have no doubt been influenced by fabricated data from the racing industry, which pays a company to show the economic contribution of greyhound racing.
Supposedly, greyhound racing creates thousands of jobs and contributes $809 million in value to NSW annually, while “$14 million in value-added economic activity is generated annually by greyhound racing in the Riverina.”
However, noted economist Saul Eslake said the industry claims of economic benefits are “egregiously exaggerated“, and they have been criticised by the Productivity Commission, the Australian Treasury, the Western Australian Treasury, the Victorian Auditor-General, and the Tasmanian Treasury.
The planned closure of Wagga proves there is no economic value in the track.
Wagga Greyhound Racing Club
Wagga Greyhound Club president Ben Talbot told the Daily Advertiser on 6 November 2025: “We’re working very closely with Michael McCormack, Kay Hull, Joe McGirr, Mark Latham and Roy Butler.”
Dr McGirr issued a statement on 28 October saying “I am working with the Wagga Greyhound Club” because “ there should be no reason for Wagga’s greyhound community to be denied racing in their home town.”
Mr McCormack said in a FB post on 31 August: “Club president Ben Talbot and his volunteer committee are to be commended for the effort they put in to make the 11-race meeting the resounding success it turned out to be.”
On the public record
GWIC Temora stewards report 9 Sep 2025:
“Trainer Mr. Ben Talbot notified Stewards at 9.18am that his runners engaged today are scouring and would need to be withdrawn.” [10 dogs were scratched]
GWIC Internal Review Decision Ben Talbot 12 May 2025:
“Mr Talbot, a short time later, entered the kennel block and walked directly towards Mr Colaiacovo and exchanged further words, swearing at Mr Colaiacovo.”
GWIC Media Statement 24 May 2024:
“The Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission has today taken the decision to stand down Mr Ben Talbot as a member of the Commission’s Industry Participants Advisory Council in light of an ongoing investigation by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
The DPI is currently investigating the allegation of an unlicensed knackery operating in Wagga Wagga and related offences.”
GWIC media release 13 Feb 2023
Advisory Council welcomes fresh industry faces
Chief Commissioner for GWIC Alby Taylor said “I’d like to officially welcome Ben Talbot,…“
Australian Racing Greyhound, 22nd Jan 2019, Owner and trainer banned for two years over euthanased greyhound:
“Kemp (formerly Tanya Skarratt) and Talbot allegedly asked the acting veterinarian Dr Mark Sayer to enthanise Better Cruise following the dog’s disqualification from racing after breaching rule 69A as pertains to “pursing the lure with due commitment”.
“After the completion of the last race, Mr Talbot removed the greyhound from the kennels and took the greyhound to the car park as prearranged with Dr Sayer.
Following a conversation with Dr Sayer, Mr Talbot placed the Greyhound in the rear of Mr Talbot’s four wheel drive motor vehicle, located in the carpark.
Dr Sayer euthanised the greyhound in the rear of Mr Talbot’s motor vehicle using 12 millilitres of Pentobarbitone given by intravenous injection.”
Appeal: https://www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2019-05/GR-Talbot-Sayer-decision-20.5.19.pdf
Image: screenshot from Daily Advertiser website