Question – Greyhound Racing

Questions asked by the Hon Meg Webb MLC on 16 Nov 2021 and answered by the Minister for Racing on 22 Nov 2021  

In a media release on 9 September 2021, the Minister for Racing stated that the racing industry contributes $103 million in economic input to the Tasmanian economy.  In 2020, the Department of Treasury and Finance in its Tasracing Review Report questioned the accuracy of this figure given it was derived using an economic multiplier to determine the value of the racing industry:

It is important to note that reports with strong reliance on economic multipliers can be inherently unreliable and problematic.  Put simply, if a multiplier effect was included for all existing industries in Tasmania when estimating their economic contribution to the state, the combined effect would be that Tasmania’s economy would be two or three times its current size.

Question 1: Can the minister please detail upon what basis the figure of $103 million in economic input was arrived at and release any modelling or data that it was based on?

Answer 1: In 2013, Tasracing commissioned IER Pty Ltd to undertake a report into the size and the scope of the Tasmanian racing industry.  The independent report indicated that the racing industry contributes $103 million economic input into the Tasmanian economy.  IER and Tasracing have this year released a new report based on 2019 financial data.  In this latest report, the economic contribution from the Tasmanian racing industry has been calculated at $185 million per annum.

I am advised that the economic contribution study is a commonly-used methodology in regional economic analysis.  An economic contribution study is about understanding the full footprint of an industry.  This is different, for example, to a net impact study which aims to understand the extent to which an industry’s expenditure is supported by revenue that can be considered new to the state.  Whilst this is a valid approach, it is not within the scope of the IER study. 

The economic contribution study approach has been used to review the racing industry in all states and territories, as well as internationally.  I am advised that the modelling involves track expenditure through the economy, rather than simply applying multipliers.  The recently‑released IER report includes significant information into the relation of the methodology used and the basis for the evaluation. 

Question 2: Given the clear evidence provided by the Government’s own expert consultant, Professor David Eager, in his UTS 2017 paper, that the only way to reduce devastating track injuries for greyhounds is to race them on straight tracks, can the minister please advise if the proposed north‑west coast harness and greyhound race track will be a straight track?  If not, why not?

Answer 2: In 2020, Tasracing partnered with Professor David Eager to undertake an analysis of all three Tasmanian greyhound tracks.  Professor Eager is a renowned expert in greyhound track design and is based at the University of Technology in Sydney. 

Tasracing provided Professor Eager with injury and track maintenance data, and all three tracks have been surveyed and GPS-mapped.  Analysis of this information revealed that the three Tasmanian tracks were in the top seven safest tracks in Australia out of 49 tracks reviewed.  That data was reviewed in November 2020.

Tasracing has engaged Professor Eager to assist in the planning and design of the new North West greyhound and harness tracks to ensure the new tracks meet best practice and welfare standards.  It is proposed that the greyhound track is a welfare‑focused, single turn track. Whilst the introduction of a straight track was believed to be the best option to reduce stress on greyhounds and reduce injuries, dynamic modelling by the University of Technology Sydney has since verified that appropriately designed single turn tracks can have the same result. 

 Question 3: Regarding investigative stewards employed by the Office of Racing Integrity, whose role includes kennel inspections across greyhound, thoroughbred and harness racing codes, can the minister please advise:

• How many FTE investigate stewards are currently employed by the Office of Racing Integrity?
• How many site visits have investigative stewards made to greyhound kennels in 2021, to date, by number of visits and by percentage of all greyhound racing kennels in Tasmania?
• What is the accepted best practice of the minimum investigative stewards required to effectively monitor the kennels and stables for each of the racing codes?
• By what standards are the training and resourcing of investigative stewards, to effectively oversee the integrity and welfare of racing animals in Tasmania, established and evaluated, and when was the resourcing last audited?

Answer 3: Currently the Office of Racing Integrity has three chairmen of stewards – five stewards and two cadet stewards, with a further steward and cadet steward in the final stages of recruitment.  The appointment process for the cadet steward is expected to be determined by the end of November, and interviews for the additional steward will be completed by the end of the month. 

Being a multi-code and skilled organisation, all of these stewards undertake inspections and investigations.  During the period 1 January to 16 November 2021, 52 greyhound racing kennels were inspected, representing 34 per cent of all registered own and public trainer kennels.  The accepted standard for inspections of registered kennels and stables is one routine visit per financial year, with additional visits being determined by the need to monitor corrective actions or to investigate specific issues.

Stewards use a checklist of physical infrastructure and indicators of individual animal welfare when conducting a kennel or stable inspection.  If stewards identify unacceptable standards, the participant is provided with the opportunity to address within a certain time frame, and a follow up inspection is undertaken. Continued noncompliance, or major integrity or welfare issues are referred to the Racing Integrity’s stewards manager for appropriate action.

Stewards are trained in animal welfare and integrity standards by appropriately qualified mentors, and by participating in specific investigation trainings, such as that offered by Tasmania Police and industry experts.  Following the completion of the current recruitment activities, stewards’ resourcing will be sufficient to achieve the minimum routine stable and kennel inspections of the currently 374 licensed facilities across all three racing codes.

The recently announced review of the Racing Regulations Act 2004 and discussion paper proposes a new model for consideration which would strengthen the current standards.  The model will see the creation of a Racing Integrity Commissioner who would see the integrity standards, including stable inspections, are then undertaken as an audit of these standards.

See more of Meg’s Questions to Parliament.