In April 2015, following the live baiting expose, the Queensland Government announced a Commission of Inquiry into the Queensland greyhound racing industry.
The Commission returned its final report on 1 June 2015. The next day Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk abolished all Queensland Racing Boards responsible for greyhound and horse racing. Additionally, Queensland Racing CEO Condon was ordered to demonstrate why he should keep his job after the Commission found live baiting and other animal cruelty issues were most likely widespread in the greyhound racing industry.
The Commission’s report known as the MacSporran Report after Commissioner Alan MacSporran QC, made 15 recommendations including that the industry should be separated into two parts: Racing Queensland and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC).
As stated in the latest available progress reports six of the 15 recommendations (comprising 54 specific actions) had been fully completed.
Recommendation 7 was one of the most critical recommendations as it concerns whole of life tracking. It stipulated the development of a single standardised form that reports all aspects of a greyhound’s whereabouts and status. The recommendation states that the form “should make it plain that sufficient information is required to enable the dog and/or person responsible for it to be located.” This recommendation was initially due to be implemented by December 2015 with production postponed until the end of May 2020.
A number of the recommendations were granted a three year government deferral in September 2017.
According to the QRIC Animal Welfare Strategy 2016-2020, QRIC has a mandate to safeguard the welfare of racing animals. One of the key activities still to be implemented is: “Improve whole of life tracking for racing animals”.
Sources:
- ABC Radio, transcript of interview with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, 2 June 2015: Qld Racing Boards dumped, CEO stood down, in wake of greyhound inquiry
- Queensland Greyhound Racing Industry Commission of Inquiry Final Report
- Queensland Government response to the Queensland Greyhound COI Final Report
- Implementation status of COI recommendations, 31 January 2020
- Queensland Racing Integrity Commission Animal Welfare Strategy 2016-2020