After a marathon sitting, a government bill to end greyhound racing in NSW was passed in the Lower House last Wednesday morning [August 24].
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Labor member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle, voted with her party despite earlier indicating she hoped to abstain from the vote.
Ms Doyle told the Gazette she argued vigorously in the Labor caucus room in the lead up to the vote on behalf of Blue Mountains residents who contacted her supporting the government's plan, also making her position clear to Opposition Leader, Luke Foley.
“In the end, the Labor caucus resolved to oppose the proposed ban. As a party member, I accept the decision of the Labor caucus. I had to argue the point for my leave request … I wasn’t going to be able to abstain … I would face expulsion [if I crossed the floor] … but I take heart that what we were all arguing for is the outcome.”
In the chamber, Ms Doyle spoke about the animal welfare issues brought to light by the ABC’s Four Corners report ‘Making a Killing’ and the McHugh Special Commission of Inquiry.
“I outlined my own position as well as put the views of my electorate on the record in Hansard.”
Nationals MPs who publicly opposed the ban had warned it would devastate their communities. Ms Doyle also expressed concern for a proper compensation package, aware that the bill could “bankrupt low and middle income earners, many thousands of whom love and care for their animals”.
“This is a complex matter,” she told Parliament around 1am, in a debate that concluded shortly before 4 in the morning. “I note two things in conclusion: an assistance package for those good people who love their dogs must be a priority as the industry is closed down; and the care, protection and welfare of the creatures involved in greyhound racing must be paramount.
“As a member of my community whom I deeply respect said to me, ‘We measure our value by how we treat those unable to speak for themselves —human or animal.’ This legislation hurts both and there must be a better way.”
NSW joins a list of governments around the world that have banned greyhound racing. Anyone who conducts greyhound races after July 2017 could face a year in jail.
Meanwhile the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals honoured the historic decision by naming one of their greyhounds after Premier Mike Baird.
Three-year-old Mike was surrendered after three years “running for his life”.
"Not unlike Mike Baird the politician, Mike Baird the dog loves a bit of exercise as well as spending time on the couch watching The Bachelor," said Friends of the Hound volunteer Kay Mills.
