HUNTER Animal Rescue president and former Liberal candidate Jaimie Abbott has called NSW Premier Mike Baird’s backdown on the greyhound racing ban “disappointing”.
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Ms Abbott, an animal advocate and public relations specialist who stood for the federal seat of Newcastle, said she was speaking for Hunter Animal Rescue in a role she has held for 10 years.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed,” Ms Abbott said.
“I believe in second chances, but not in sixth, seventh, eighth chances to reform an industry.”
At a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Baird confirmed he would give the state’s greyhound industry “one final chance” under “the strictest regulations that exist anywhere in the country”.
Mr Baird repeated “I got it wrong”, about his original promise to end greyhound racing in NSW from next July, which he had maintained was “the right thing to do”.
“My personal convictions on animal cruelty have not changed at all,” Mr Baird said.
“But it’s clear that, listening to the feedback and on reflection, that we did not give the good people in this industry the chance to respond, the chance to reform.”
Asked if she felt let down by the government, Ms Abbott said, “I feel disappointed, yes. I applauded and was very proud of the Premier for [the original ban]”.
Ms Abbott said she now wants to be on a Greyhound Industry Reform Panel, headed by former Labor Premier Morris Iemma, that will advise the government on fixing the sport.
The new regime will wield mandatory life bans and increased jail terms for live baiting, and order that greyhounds be registered for their whole lives.
Hunter Animal Rescue’s criticism is the latest in a volley of opposition to Mr Baird’s backdown from animal welfare groups.
Dog Rescue Newcastle president Sue Barker said on Monday that the Premier’s change of heart was “gutless”.
PETA Australia’s Claire Fryer called Tuesday “a sad day, not only for the thousands of dogs who will now continue to suffer in this cruel and unjustifiable industry, but also for democracy”.
RSPCA inspectors were called in August to inspect dog remains found in rural Port Stephens, later confirmed to be those of a greyhound hit on the head.
The organisation has not yet agreed to be part of the panel to oversee the industry.
The Premier’s original decision to ban greyhound racing followed a special commission of inquiry headed by retired judge Michael McHugh.
It found up to 68,000 greyhounds had been euthanised in 12 years because they were too slow or unable to race.
