Article-Independents Unite: Support for candidates’ call to end greyhound racing
Photo | Linda Higginson
The Mercury | 30 June 2025; pg 5
Independents Unite:
Support for candidates’ call to end greyhound racing
Bridget Clarke
Franklin candidate Peter George says that he would be “honoured” to work alongside independents Kristie Johnston and Meg Webb to put an end to greyhound racing if he was elected at next month’s state election after enjoying a strong show of support while campaigning in Kingston on Sunday.
The independent candidate and former journalist said he had shared welfare concerns about the sport for more than 50 years, and urged the incoming government to heed the findings of independent economist Saul Eslake’s damning review into the sport.
“I was a young reporter in the 1960s and ’70s and covered greyhound racing, and the truth of the matter is, there were welfare concerns (then) and there are welfare concerns today,” he said.
“The government’s got to stop pouring money into a racing industry that most Tasmanians do not support and will be appalled by when we’ve got a budget black hole.”
Released in May, the Eslake review found despite receiving large amounts of government funding, the industry’s contribution to the local economy was “quite small”.
Ms Johnston said the report showed the industry was in “terminal decline”.
“We know the money going into the gambling and racing industries is not going into households to support families, health, housing and education,” she said. “There are much better priorities where this money could be going.”
Dozens of supporters turned out for the campaign event, which Ms Johnston said was a sign more voters were backing independent candidates over the major parties – between which there was “no real difference”.
“They’re the same on almost every policy platform,” she said.
“We’re looking for independents and crossbench members to provide the voice of the community and real empowerment.”
Ms Webb said greyhound racing was an issue where “independents really show their value”.
“They’re not looking to grab power. They’re here to speak for the community,” she said.
