Despite most Australians not being supporters of greyhound racing, state governments give millions of taxpayer dollars to racing bodies.
SMH editorial poll result, 10 July, 2024
All surveys of the general population regarding public attitudes to greyhound racing show most Australians do not want greyhound racing to continue, nor do they want their tax dollars used to support it.
- A national survey commissioned by GREY2K USA Worldwide and CPG in 2022 found a majority of Australians both oppose greyhound racing and want an end to taxpayer funding. Read more
- In an extensive poll of Tasmanians in 2023, 62 per cent of respondents said they opposed greyhound racing, with almost half (46 per cent) opposing it strongly. Only 11 per cent supported it, with only three per cent saying they supported it strongly.
- Independent research commissioned by the Greens in 2021 found Australians are overwhelmingly concerned about animal welfare and supportive of key animal welfare policies. Key statistics include that 54% of respondents support a ban on greyhound racing. Read more
- A Channel 7 News poll in 2018 asked:
“The NSW government today donated $500,000 to the richest dog race in the world. Is this a good use of taxpayer’s money.”
95 percent of the 39.8K respondents answered NO Read more - An ABC poll asked if there should be an Australia-wide ban on greyhound racing.
82 percent of respondents said YES. Read more - Independent research commissioned by the RSPCA was conducted regarding the greyhound racing ban.
Two out of three people in NSW and the ACT supported the ban. Read more - The RSPCA canvassed attitudes to animal welfare prior to the 2021 WA election. More than seven in every ten Western Australians, whether they live in suburbia, on rural properties or in regional towns, say animal welfare is important or extremely important to them. Read more
Australians aren’t the only nation to reject greyhound racing. See here for a recent survey done in Ireland.