by Warren Young, Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds
With the upcoming Federal election on everyone’s minds, the biggest concern for many Australians is the cost of living.
We know that governments don’t have a bottomless pit of money, so funding allocations need to be targeted and efficient to maximise community benefits. Many people are struggling to afford basic needs such as groceries or to pay their rent or mortgage.
Although greyhound racing is the responsibility of states rather than the Nation, the Federal election is a reminder that all Australians need their political representatives to allocate their taxes efficiently and according to the needs and wishes of the public. The last thing people want is to see their taxes wasted on another unwanted gambling activity.
CPG has created a detailed map indicating millions of taxpayer dollars spent on propping up greyhound racing around Australia. Did you know that your taxes are being used to support a small number of industry participants, and especially to support gambling companies?
Did you know that your taxes are being used to support a small number of industry participants, and especially to support gambling companies?
The blood money map
How state governments use taxpayer dollars to keep the brutal greyhound racing industry afloat
A national survey of public attitudes to greyhound racing showed that only 19% approved of government subsidies for greyhound racing. That number dropped to only 9% for people who had never bet on greyhound racing. This is clearly not a mandate to waste taxpayer money on an industry that promotes gambling ahead of animal welfare.
Think what our state taxes could be used for:
- Better infrastructure such as roads, hospitals
- More funding for public schools
- Better delivery of public housing and homelessness services
- Improved public transport
- Community Services: Social welfare programs, child protection, and disability services.
- Consumer Affairs: Regulation of trade practices and consumer protection.
- Emergency Services: Fire, ambulance, and other emergency response services.
- Sport and Recreation: Management of state sporting facilities and recreational areas.
Greyhound racing tracks also consume a huge parcel of public land. State governments keep pumping taxpayer funds into unsafe tracks that hardly anyone even attends. Imagine what that prime land could be used for, especially in capital cities.