The author of an explosive report that triggered an inquiry into greyhound racing in New South Wales warns the government’s response could allow the industry to continue operating on a “business as usual” basis.
The state government last week announced its industry watchdog would lead an inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) after the release of a veterinary report that alleged widespread animal abuse.
The report, written by the former GRNSW chief vet Dr Alex Brittan, further alleged the industry watchdog – the NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) – was “under-reporting and obfuscating the facts”.
Speaking publicly for the first time since his report was made public, Brittan said the best chance of meaningful change would come from an inquiry independent of GWIC. It should hold public hearings and release its findings, he said.
“GWIC are conducting the inquiry into GRNSW and themselves,” he said. “As such this would appear to be an internal inquiry.”
The inquiry’s procedures – including whether there will be public hearings and whistleblower protections – will be determined by the new acting GWIC commissioner, Lea Drake.
“For there to be meaningful change, it would only be logical that the report be truly independent [and] objective and its findings made public,” Brittan said.
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, last week ruled out imposing a ban on greyhound racing, which Brittan said reassured GRNSW it could continue “business as usual”.
“The gambling and racing industry participants will probably be reassured by premier Minns’ statement that, irrespective of the findings of the inquiry, there will be no shutdown,” he said.
“It could be perceived as concerning that the premier and gaming minister have stated that the outcome of the inquiry is a foregone conclusion and that, irrespective of any findings, all bets are on and the gambling will continue.”
Minns said he encouraged advocates to “wait to see what the minister’s actions will be”.
Minns also defended his rejection of a ban, saying he wanted to give certainty to industry participants, workers and spectators.
“If I kept open speculation for closing down the industry when the government didn’t have an intention to do that, no doubt we’d get hit hard for it.”
after newsletter promotion
The racing and gaming minister, David Harris, insisted last week that the GWIC inquiry would be more powerful than a parliamentary inquiry and would “make sure that all of those people who have issues are able to be heard [and] that they have protection”.
Brittan said that under the terms of his contract with GRNSW, he was forbidden from discussing anything he learned while he was chief vet unless he had approval from the peak body.
“If the premier and the minister wish to contact me about anything relevant to the welfare of greyhounds within the NSW racing industry, I would be open to this,” he said.
“It is my belief that either I would need to be placed under parliamentary privilege, or they would need to be formally approved by GRNSW, for me to discuss such matters.”
Drake will begin work on Monday. The inquiry will run for five months and is due to report by 13 December.
GRNSW said it took all welfare and integrity claims seriously and had appointed former Victorian police commissioner Graham Ashton to review and make recommendations on the contents of Brittan’s report.
GWIC said it did not comment on open or ongoing inquiries. Drake was approached for comment.