Article-Locals back End of Greyhound Racing Funding
Kingborough Chronicle | 8 July 2025: pg 5.
Locals back End of Funding
Independent candidate for Franklin Peter George, independent member for Nelson Meg Webb MLC and independent candidate for Clark Kristie Johnston MP joined locals at The Salty Dog Hotel for the Greyhound and All Their Doggo Mates event on Sunday, June 29.
A ‘Greyhound and All Their Doggo Mates’ event was staged at The Salty Dog Hotel, Kingston Beach on Sunday, June 29 to support the end of public funding of the Tasmanian greyhound racing industry.
Independent member for Nelson Meg Webb MLC was joined by independent candidates in the upcoming election Kristie Johnson MP and Peter George.
“Thanks to the recent independent review by Saul Eslake, the evidence is in,” Ms Webb said.
“Tasmania is spending more on greyhounds than the national rate, at an annual average increase of 5.6 per cent over the past 15 years, in contrast to education investment, which only received a 4.1 per cent increase over the same period.
“Ending public funding of greyhound racing would save millions each year, which could then be redirected to areas in desperate need.”
Mr Eslake’s review was commissioned by a coalition of community organisations and donors.
The review found that the Tasmanian Government funded greyhound racing at approximately $12.7 per capita in 2023-24, more than double the average for all states and territories.
“Every dollar spent on greyhound racing is a dollar taken away from real community need,” independent candidate for Clark, Kristie Johnson said.
Independent candidate for Franklin Peter George added that “there’s no longer any logic in subsidising a greyhound racing industry an overwhelming majority of Tasmanians do not support.”
Acting CEO of Tasracing David Manshanden said the Tasmanian racing industry’s economic contribution to the state is increasing.
“In 2021/22 the Tasmanian racing industry generated close to $208 million in value-added contribution to the Tasmanian economy – 40 per cent of which directly benefited regional economies,” he said.
“As to the popularity of racing, wagering turnover across the three codes of racing, including greyhounds, has increased by 19 per cent over the past five years.
“This has been achieved at the same time as responsible breeding, improved welfare and the removal of direct breeding incentives.”
