NSW Election 2023

In the lead up to the NSW election, CPG has contacted a number of candidates to find out their views on greyhound racing. We included a fact sheet on the current state of the greyhound racing industry and asked three specific questions:

  1. If elected, will you support an end to the millions of dollars in public funding and taxpayer subsidies to greyhound racing? 
  2. If elected, would you support a limit on the number of dogs the industry is able to breed each year? 
  3. If elected, would you support public funding for operating costs that is recurrent annually to registered independent charities that rescue, rehabilitate and rehome greyhounds to live as pets. 
Below is a summary of the replies received from candidates along with a link to further information where provided. We have also included the party policy statements we have received. Following that is a list of candidates from whom we have received no response to date. Responses are in alphabetical order grouped by electorate. We will continue to update this page with any new information we receive. 

Links to further information referred to below:

  1. “Greyhound Racing“, Animal Justice Party (AJP)
  2.  “Reining in Animal Exploitation“, The Greens (Greens)
  3.  Greens NSW response to questions above, Abigail Boyd MLC, Greens NSW spokesperson on Animal Welfare

The Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds does not promote or oppose political parties or direct people on how to vote.

Responses received from candidates

Kobi Shetty

Greens Candidate, Balmain
As you will be aware, the Greens have a strong record of working for an end to the cruel practices of the greyhound racing industry. We support your calls.
 
Our election policy plan for a Greyhound Racing Ban and Industry Transition includes the following:
  • Ban greyhound racing, with a one year implementation period
  • Establish a transition program for industry workers and impacted communities that will: 
    • reskill industry workers and support them to find new jobs 
    • resource impacted communities and repurpose racetracks for community benefit 
  • Rehabilitate and rehome all affected animals  

Jenna Condie

Greens Candidate, Blue Mountains
 Our policy clearly spells out our position on these issues and states:
  • A ban on greyhound racing in NSW and the allocation of sufficient resources by the industry to rehabilitate and rehome affected animals.
  • Implement urgent welfare reforms while working towards greyhound and horse racing shutdown.
  • A ban on the export of greyhounds for commercial purposes, including for breeding and racing purposes. Read more

Trish Doyle

Labor MP, Blue Mountains

As you know, the election will be upon us soon and therefore Trish is unable to comment at this stage. There will no doubt be a reshuffling of both the Ministry and Shadow Cabinet once the results are in, but whichever way things land I can assure you Trish, if re-elected, will continue to be a strong voice in the Caucus room for animal welfare.  She will be more than happy to engage on this issue once the dust has settled after the election.

Greg Keightley

AJP Candidate, Blue Mountains
The AJP’s strong position on greyhound racing is well known and I am committed to my party’s plan for a total end to greyhound racing nationally. I believe that the greyhound racing industry can’t be adequately regulated, the only solution is a total ban on this cruel and exploitative sport.

We certainly don’t support the public funding of this industry and our objective is for it to be consigned to history as soon as possible. However in the meantime, of course the AJP would support limiting the breeding of dogs for racing and would vote to financially support greyhound rescue organisations to rehabilitate and rehome these lovely dogs. (Also see Link 1. above)

 

Caroline Atkinson

Greens Candidate, Davidson
As a rescue dog owner myself I am definitely supportive of looking after these wonderful dogs.  I have met rescue greyhound owners in Davidson so know that they make great companions and the new owners are delighted to give them a second life often despite some significant long term injuries.
 
I have attached a letter from Abigail Boyd (see Link 3 above) which outlines the Greens policy position of support.

Rafaela Pandolfini

Greens Candidate, Coogee

Rafaela firmly supports the reforms you have proposed, and stands behind the Greens position of banning greyhound racing in NSW. I have attached the letter to the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds, written by the Greens NSW spokesperson on these issues, Abigail Boyd (see Link 3 above).

Dr Sarina Kilham

Independent Candidate, Heffron
As an Independent candidate, I aim to represent the view of the people of Heffron. If I am elected, I am committed to working with the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds and other stakeholders on this issue. If there is widespread support in Heffron for a ban on greyhound racing – then I would work to ensure that legislation gets passed in NSW Parliament to this end.

Linda Paull

AJP Candidate, Heffron

What are your views on greyhound racing? Ban it. Shut it down.

If elected, will you support an end to the millions of dollars in public funding and taxpayer subsidies to greyhound racing? 100%

If elected, would you support a limit on the number of dogs the industry is able to breed each year? Yes as a compromise to banning it.

If elected, would you support public funding for operating costs that is recurrent annually to registered independent charities that rescue, rehabilitate and rehome greyhounds to live as pets.We are absolutely committed to this.

Philipa Veitch

Greens Candidate, Heffron

 My answer to all of the attached questions is a resounding YES. I am in 100% support of the Greens position which is to ban greyhound racing and all other animal ‘sports’ – the details of our policy are below. Read more . (Also see Link 2 above).

Joeline Hackman

Independent Candidate, Manly
I did not know that Australian taxpayers subsidise the Greyhound Racing Industry~ $160 million over 5 years. I am very willing to change this once elected. Please let me know how I can help.

Terry le Roux

Greens Candidate, Manly

We support the calls made by the Coalition for the Protection for Greyhounds, and respond to your questions as follows:

1. What are your views on greyhound racing?
The Greens plan for a Greyhound Racing Ban and Industry Transition includes the following:

  • Ban greyhound racing, with a one year implementation period
  • Establish a transition program for industry workers and impacted communities that will:
    • reskill industry workers and support them to find new jobs
    • resource impacted communities and repurpose racetracks for community benefit
  • Rehabilitate and rehome all affected animals Read more

Bailey Mason

AJP Candidate, Manly
Greyhound racing is a dog killing industry that must be shut down and I will fight with all of my heart to end this slaughter of gentle dogs who just want to be pets not bets.

  1. If elected, will you support an end to the millions of dollars in public funding and taxpayer subsidies to greyhound racing? I will support an end to the disgraceful taxpayer subsidies for this animal abusing industry. I have also led numerous loud chants during protest outside Wentworth Park Greyhounds calling for these deadly dog killing races to be shut down. Dogs are dying in Glebe, it’s absolutely sickening.

  2. If elected, would you support a limit on the number of dogs the industry is able to breed each year?  There needs to be a ban on greyhound racing in Australia but starting with a huge reduction in breeding these animals for abuse is a great start to reduce the amount of dogs murdered for being too slow to win races.

  3. If elected, would you support public funding for operating costs that is recurrent annually to registered independent charities that rescue, rehabilitate and rehome greyhounds to live as pets. I would absolutely support public funding to support the rescue and rehabilitation of these beautiful dogs who’s only crime to their owners, is not being fast enough to be exploited. The government should support greyhound rescue efforts but it’s most important to shut down greyhound racing so dog rescue groups don’t need to constantly rescue these animals. The government handing over a small amount of money to help rescue a tiny fraction of dogs while keeping open the very big industry which dogs need constant rescuing from simply doesn’t make any sense.

Helen Conway

Independent Candidate, North Shore
Helen believes that mistreatment of any animal is abhorrent, and that all animals deserve to be treated humanely. Helen would support a ban on greyhound racing.

Victoria Walker

Independent Candidate, North Shore
I was horrified when Baird backed down, and reinstated greyhound racing after doing away with it & all the evils and more that you point out. I will absolutely support any move to ban it once & for all. If the only way to do that is through the steps you recommend I support them, but I think being upfront about it would generate more community support.

Felicity Wilson

Liberal MP, North Shore
Thank you for contacting our office and providing information on the work of the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds.Our office will be in touch should we require further information.

Hilary Green

Greens Candidate, Pittwater
The Greens attitude is that – “thanks to the hard work of animal welfare advocates and activists, the cruelty of ‘sports’ like greyhound racing, horse racing and rodeos has been exposed. From perverse performance motivators like electrocution or live baiting, to slaughter of injured and unwanted animals because it’s cheaper than rehabilitation and rehoming, these are industries that rely on cruelty to turn a profit — and it’s past time to shut them down.”
 
Consequently, as a Green, my answers to your questions are as follows.

  1. If elected, will you support an end to the millions of dollars in public funding and taxpayer subsidies to greyhound racing?  YES

  2. If elected, would you support a limit on the number of dogs the industry is able to breed each year?  YES

  3. If elected, would you support public funding for operating costs that is recurrent annually to registered independent charities that rescue, rehabilitate and rehome greyhounds to live as pets? YES

(Also see Link 2 above)

Jacqui Scruby

Independent Member, Pittwater

I am very much in support of ending the greyhound industry. Although this does not form part of my core policy platform, I will be willing to work with Emma Hurst and others in the Animal Justice Party with reform in this area.

 

  1. If elected, will you support an end to the millions of dollars in public funding and taxpayer subsidies to greyhound racing?  Yes

  2. If elected, would you support a limit on the number of dogs the industry is able to breed each year?  Yes

  3. If elected, would you support public funding for operating costs that is recurrent annually to registered independent charities that rescue, rehabilitate and rehome greyhounds to live as pets? Yes

Izabella Antoniou

Greens Candidate, Summer Hill

 I know that Abigail Boyd MLC, NSW Greens spokesperson on Animal Welfare, has been in contact regarding The Greens NSW commitment to working for an end to the cruel practices of the greyhound racing industry. I’ve attached her full response below (see Link 3 above) but I also want to reiterate that I support the calls of the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds.

Sandra Haddad

AJP Candidate, Summer Hill

What are your views on greyhound racing? It is a disgrace and overdue for a ban

If elected, will you support an end to the millions of dollars in public funding and
taxpayer subsidies to greyhound racing? Yes

If elected, would you support a limit on the number of dogs the industry is able to
breed each year? Yes. I also think that there needs to be full life tracking of the dogs and the industry needs to pay an additional 100K per dog to rehabilitate and rehome them so the costs and pressures do not sit with charities. This additional costs would also deter many entering the industry.

If elected, would you support public funding for operating costs that is recurrent
annually to registered independent charities that rescue, rehabilitate and rehome
greyhounds to live as pets. Yes of course

Alex Greenwich

Independent MP, Sydney

I strongly oppose greyhound racing and support an immediate ban on the industry. The findings of the Special Commission of Inquiry were clear that cruelty is inherent in the business model and can never be stamped out with regulatory tweaks. I voted in support of the bill to ban greyhound racing in 2016 and voted against the bill to overturn the ban in 2017 and will continue to oppose this cruel and archaic industry. Click here for full .pdf response

Nick Ward

Greens Candidate, Sydney

See Link 3 above for response

Dominic WY Kanak

Greens Candidate, Vaucluse

We have been campaigning to ban racing for decades. Please see attached the response from The Greens spokesperson on Animal Welfare, Abigail Boyd (see Link 3 above). The election policy plan for a Greyhound Racing Ban and Industry Transition includes the following:

  • Ban greyhound racing, with a one year implementation period
  • Establish a transition program for industry workers and impacted communities that will:
    • reskill industry workers and support them to find new jobs
    • resource impacted communities and repurpose racetracks for community benefit
  • Rehabilitate and rehome all affected animals
  • Implement urgent welfare reforms while working towards greyhound and horse racing shutdown

Kellie Sloane

Liberal Candidate, Vaucluse
I hate to see any harm to any animal. I was pleased to see the State Government announce record funding for animal welfare of $40.6m. Currently I am being overwhelmed with letters from different interest groups all asking for my stated policy position on a variety of issues. I hope you understand I cannot give you answers on your questions at this time. I can, however, commit to have open ears and an open heart when it comes to matters regarding the greyhound racing industry.

Parsia Abedini

Labor Candidate, Wahroonga

What are your views on greyhound racing?
I personally believe it’s a horrific practice that eventually needs to be abolished. My first exposure of the sport was through the Simpsons, their dog, Santa’s LIttle Helper, was a Greyhound that was a prominent racer but was terrible at it and was threatened to be put down before the Simpsons adopted him. While it is a cartoon, these sorts of scenarios happen in our day to day life.

If elected, will you support an end to the millions of dollars in public funding and taxpayer subsidies to greyhound racing?
I will reach out to key experts, voices of the communities and consult with them in order to see what we can do to help support our greyhounds and getting them off the race track and into caring homes. The Liberals originally wanted to end it the Nationals and extremists strangled them, but after a change of leadership, Gladys Berejiklian chucked it out the window.

If elected, would you support a limit on the number of dogs the industry is able to breed each year?
I will support whatever is recommended in order to limit the effects of it. If it is recommended to limit the dogs the industry is able to breed, I will support it.

If elected, would you support public funding for operating costs that is recurrent annually to registered independent charities that rescue, rehabilitate and rehome greyhounds to live as pets.
If we’re freely able to give out money to subsidise the industry, we should have the ability to provide public fundings to charities that rescue them from the industry.

Tim Dashwood

Greens Candidate, Wahroonga

The Greens have a strong position on animal welfare, which Tim supports as a Greens candidate. I have attached correspondence from Abigail Boyd, the NSW Greens spokesperson on Animal Welfare (see Link 3 above).

Kristyn Haywood

Independent Candidate, Wahroonga

I think Greyhound racing is cruel and we need to ban it.

Susan Sorensen

AJP Candidate, Wakehurst
Greyhound racing must be urgently banned. It is exploitative, cruel and an extremely poor attempt of creating a facade about racing being ‘entertainment’. It is a deceitful industry that preys on the addiction of humans, enslavement of greyhounds and the appropriation of public money funded by tax payers ahead of the needs and wellbeing of the animals in which they use and abuse. Read more

Sue Wright

Labor Candidate, Wakehurst

My personal views are against gambling of any form. There is a lot of heartache for both the beautiful animals and the people that gamble on them. Regardless of whether I am elected or not, I will continue to press my party for tighter gambling reforms and more funding for the animals impacted.

Responses received from Parties

Animal Justice Party NSW

Ending greyhound racing is a key election platform for the Animal Justice Party, and we greatly value CPG’s work in exposing the deaths, injuries and funding of the industry. Read more

The Greens NSW

Thank you for sharing the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds election survey on greyhound welfare with the Greens NSW. As you will know, the Greens have been consistent in their opposition to greyhound racing for many years, and we are committed to continuing that work in the next term of Parliament.
Read more

Labor NSW

NSW Labor supports the continued operation of greyhound racing, with the highest standards of animal welfare. We have advocated for and seen the introduction of an independent regulator, the Greyhound Welfare Integrity Commission (GWIC), which has seen a significant improvement in the animal welfare standards in the greyhound racing industry.

NSW Labor supports the important work GWIC undertakes, including the Greyhounds As Pets program to rehome greyhounds after they have finished racing. We also support GWIC’s current limit of 3 litters per breeding bitch and the maximum age of 8 years.

No response received to date from these candidates

Freya Leach
Liberal Candidate, Balmain

Philippa Scott
Labor Candidate, Balmain

Kobi Shetty
Greens Candidate, Balmain

Greg Keightley
AJP Candidate, Blue Mountains

  

Marjorie O’Neill
Labor MP, Coogee

Kylie Von Muenster
Liberal Candidate, Coogee

 

Matthew Cross
Liberal MP, Davidson

Karyn Edelstein
Labor Candidate, Davidson

 

Janine Kitson
Independent Candidate, Davidson

 

 

Phil Bradley
Greens Candidate, Epping

Dominic Perrottet
Liberal MP, Epping

Carmen Terceiro
AJP Candidate, Epping

Matthew Kean
Liberal MP, Hornsby

Melissa Hoile
Labor Candidate, Hornsby

Tania Salitra
Greens Candidate, Hornsby

Chris Minns
Labor MP, Kogarah

  

Heather Armstrong
Greens Candidate, Lane Cove

Victoria Davidson
Independent Candidate, Lane Cove

Penelope Pedersen
Labor Candidate, Lane Cove

Anthony Roberts
Liberal MP, Lane Cove

 

 

James Griffin
Liberal MP, Manly

  

Fiona Douskou
Liberal Candidate, Newtown

David Hetherington
Labor Candidate, Newtown

Jenny Leong
Greens MP, Newtown

Victoria Davidson
Independent Candidate, North Shore

Simon Menzies
Independent Candidate, North Shore

James Mullan
Greens Candidate, North Shore

Godfrey Santer
Labor Candidate, North Shore

 

 

Rory Amon
Liberal Candidate, Pittwater

Jeffrey Quinn
Labor Candidate, Pittwater

 

Sophie Edington
Greens Candidate, Ryde

Lyndal Howison
Labor Candidate, Ryde

Jordan Lane
Liberal Candidate, Ryde

Jo Haylen
Labor MP, Summer Hill

 

 

Phyllisse Stanton
Liberal Candidate, Sydney

Skye Tito
Labor Candidate, Sydney

 

Miriam Guttman-Jones
Independent Candidate, Vaucluse

Margaret Merten
Labor Candidate, Vaucluse

 

Alister Henskens
Liberal MP, Wahroonga

 

 

Ethan Hrnjak
Greens Candidate, Wakehurst

Michael Regan
Independent Candidate, Wakehurst

Toby Williams
Liberal Candidate, Wakehurst

Sarah Griffin
Labor Candidate, Willoughby

Timothy James
Liberal MP, Willoughby

Edmund McGrath
Greens Candidate, Willoughby

Larissa Penn
Independent Candidate, Willoughby

 

 

The Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds does not promote or oppose political parties or direct people on how to vote.

Authorised by A. Pollard, Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds,  PO Box 1270, Wangara, WA 6947

© 2024 Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds • Built with
Jenna Condie, Greens Candidate, Blue Mountains

I am proud to be a part of The Greens because our party is the one that is willing to take such a strong stand in protecting animals.

If I am elected, I, like all Greens representatives, would be keen to work with your group to ensure that this inhumane industry is brought to an end as soon as possible.

Regardless of who forms Government, I wish you well in your advocacy for greyhounds.
Community based groups such as yours are so important in both raising awareness of, and developing solutions to, problems that need to be addressed (or ended) like greyhound racing.

Philipa Veitch, Greens Candidate, Heffron

I’m a Greens councillor for Randwick west ward in Sydney which is home to the Randwick Racecourse.

I’ve worked to try and call out the abhorrent cruelty of horseracing and put a stop to the Randwick Community Raceday which used to see council funds and communication channels (including our rates notices!) used to promote a so-called ‘community race day’ at the racecourse.

Despite losing a number of motions at council there was no community race day in 2022 and I’m hoping council has now quietly shelved this archaic event. This was done with the support of the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses and local community supporters for which I’m very grateful.

I’ve also opposed the re-zoning of Souths Juniors which would see it gaining another 20-30m in height and potentially radically expand its poker machines – it already holds a license for 500.

Terry le Roux, Greens Candidate, Manly

2. If elected, will you support an end to the millions of dollars in public funding and taxpayer subsidies to greyhound racing
Yes.

3. If elected, would you support a limit on the number of dogs the industry is able to breed each year?
The Greens position is to ban greyhound racing altogether, but I would support harm minimisation measures such as limiting the number of dogs being bred.

4. If elected, would you support public funding for operating costs that is recurrent annually to registered independent charities that rescue, rehabilitate and rehome greyhounds to live as pets?
Yes

Susan Sorensen, AJP Candidate, Wakehurst

If elected, will you support an end to the millions of dollars in public funding and taxpayer subsidies to greyhound racing?
Absolutely- zero dollars for anything related to the act of greyhound racing and instead funding applied to rescue organisations.

If elected, would you support a limit on the number of dogs the industry is able to breed each year?
Absolutely, but what I would like to see is a total ban on the breeding of any animal for this despicable industry.

If elected, would you support public funding for operating costs that is recurrent annually to registered independent charities that rescue, rehabilitate and rehome greyhounds to live as pets.
This is a must. Every greyhound must be saved and rehomed and the people who are rescuing the animals from the carnage created by the greyhound racing industry must be supported with public funding. It has been stated by the Animal Justice Party that 50% more puppies are being born into the industry now than five years ago. They are dying on tracks and in training, and once the dogs are ‘retired’, their ‘disappearance’ is easy. There is overwhelming evidence of “systematic animal cruelty”, from mass killing to live baiting, racing deaths, injuries and mistreatment. Furthermore, over the past 12 years, up to 68,448 dogs were killed because they were “unsuitable or too slow for racing”, as well as 7,000 healthy puppies and young dogs who never even made it to the track. This is not acceptable and this alone should trigger an immediate ban placed on the industry.

My plan is the same plan as publicised by The Animal Justice Party and that is: A total end to taxpayer funding for the greyhound racing industry.

No subsidies.
A ban on greyhound racing.
The industry has shown it is not capable of reform.

Animal Justice Party NSW

We have worked closely with CPG, who supported a large protest we organised last year outside the Million Dollar Chase: video footage of the protest, photos from the protest.

We also have a petition demanding an end to taxpayer funding of the greyhound racing industry, which has nearly 6,000 signatures – a tactical move to try and end the industry from a different approach.

You can see in the footage linked above that our MP Emma Hurst spoke out against the industry and featured greyhounds as “the most abused breed of them all” for Dogs in Politics Day. Our MPs Mark Pearson and Georgie Purcell (Vic) also speak out frequently against the industry, in fact they both spoke out against it this week – Mark’s most recent statement, Georgie’s most recent statement.