Latest news with #Jeremy Rockliff
Daily Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Telegraph
Greyhound racing: Aussie state bans controversial sport, Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirms Tasmania's ban
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News. A firm end date for greyhound racing has been set for one Australian state, and the reaction has been deeply divided. Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirmed on Sunday that the Tasmanian liberal government funding for the industry would be completely phased out by June 30, 2029, pulling the pin on a sport that's been under scrutiny for years. 'It's time to draw a line in the sand,' Rockliff wrote in the press release. He acknowledged the news would be 'extremely disappointing' for many in the greyhound industry, but said it had become increasingly clear it didn't align with 'community expectations.' The press release announced the planned phase out date for 2029. Picture: X Greyhound racing will be phased out in Tasmania. (Photo by) The decision follows the recent death of Raider's Guide, one of Tasmania's most successful greyhounds, who was euthanised after falling during a race in Launceston on July 28. The four-year-old, who suffered a broken spine, was named the state's Greyhound of the Year in January after 17 wins across 2024. For many, his death marked a turning point. RSPCA Tasmania CEO Andrea Dawkins said the news was a long time coming, describing the decision as 'a new chapter in our community's progress on animal welfare.' 'Let the death of Raider's Guide be the catalyst for lasting change,' she said. The reaction online from animal advocates has been passionate. 'The best news!' one member of the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds wrote on Facebook. 'The tide is turning here in Australia,' added another. Others praised the years of campaigning that led to the decision. 'We've always said Tassie would get this done first,' wrote one commenter. But not everyone is convinced the move goes far enough. 'It would be much better if the entire vile industry was being banned.' Another added: 'Now if we can prevent Tassie trainers from packing up and going to another state, that would be amazing.' Never miss the latest sports news from Australia and around the world — download the app direct to your phone. This wasn't the first time Raider's Guide sustained cervical spinal injuries on track. Picture: X Carol Martin, daughter of Raider's owner Gary Fahey, said he was "a great dog with a massive heart." Picture: Melbourne Greyhounds Outside of advocacy circles, the call has drawn criticism from parts of the racing community - particularly those who feel the ban unfairly targets smaller, family-run kennels and trainers with little financial or political power. Former senior sports journalist Ray Gatt tweeted, 'Ah yes. Pick on the battlers, the mums and dads who can't fight back. 'Meanwhile, everything is fine in thoroughbred racing. There's nothing to see there. 'All squeaky clean. Just upright citizens with power and money. But that's too big a battle hey.' It's a sentiment being echoed by many - that greyhound racing, smaller and less resourced, is being pushed out, while horse racing remains largely untouched despite a history of doping and high-profile scandals. So what does this ban mean for the industry? The Tasmanian Government says the four-year transition will allow time for proper planning and support for those affected, including trainers, breeders and clubs. Still, rescue services like Hounds in Homes are warning of growing pressure on rehoming efforts - especially if small-scale trainers are pushed out and dogs are left without housing. 'Closing down all country tracks and shutting down smaller kennels (means) misplacing lots of greyhounds. 'We predict they will close down the smaller tracks but keep the big ones in NSW. The big kennels, breeders and trainers will carry on as normal.' "Punishing the many good because of a few bad eggs," tweeted former sports writer Ray Gatt. Picture: X The ACT was the first jurisdiction in Australia to ban greyhound racing in 2018. In New Zealand, the government also recently confirmed plans to shut down the industry. Advocates in other Australian states are now hoping Tasmania's move adds momentum to the cause. 'Great news! Thank you Tasmania for ending cruel greyhound racing,' wrote one Facebook user, tagging New South Wales MPs. 'Please listen to the people of NSW and end greyhound racing in our state next!' 'Bring it on. Pets not bets,' backed another. While greyhound racing does contribute to the gambling industry's profits, it's a relatively small slice compared to horse racing, sports betting, and pokies, especially in Australia. Greyhound racing is estimated to turnover A$3 billion annually nationwide, and revenue from betting sits at approximately A$500-700 million. Compare that to an estimated $A15 billion revenue from slot machines. $A20 billion from horse racing and $A50 billion from other sports betting. 'Of the 97,783 greyhounds bred in NSW over 12 years, 68,448 dogs were killed. 'I'm not a smart man, but I know solid and horrifying percentages when I see them. 'All of this for... gambling,' wrote a horrified Redditor in response to the NSW Special Comission Inquiry into the industry. It's also no secret that Premier Rockliff is currently leading a minority government, and some speculate that this announcement could be no more than a political move to gain support from key independents with strong animal welfare policies. Either way, Tasmania has made its position clear, and it's only a matter of time before the pressure shifts to other states. Originally published as 'Turning point': Punters divided as Aussie state bans greyhound racing following tragedy
The Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Australia news live: Rockliff signals end of Tasmanian greyhound racing as government plans to make ‘orderly exit'
Update: Date: 2025-08-09T22:47:46.000Z Title: Good morning Content: It's Lisa Cox with you to bring you up to speed as we start the day. AAP is reporting that Tasmanian Liberals would phase out funding for greyhound racing by 2029 – effectively ending the sport in the state – in a bid to secure the support of crossbenchers in minority government. The Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff, who is looking to shore up the support of progressive independents, said the time had come to make a call on the future of greyhound racing in the state. The deputy prime minister Richard Marles will appear on the ABC's Insiders this morning, while Anthony Albanese has been meeting his counterpart, Christopher Luxon, in New Zealand. We will bring you all the latest as it happens.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Tasmanian Premier confident state won't go back to polls as he unveils front bench
Canberra veterans now serving in the Tasmanian state parliament have been elevated to key portfolios as the Liberals face another possible vote of no confidence. Newly reappointed Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced a cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, appointing two new ministers. Former federal MP Bridget Archer – who often spoke out against Coalition policies in Canberra – becomes Health Minister, while prominent former senator Eric Abetz has been appointed Treasurer. The threat of yet another no confidence motion looms, however, a quagmire of political wrangling between Labor, the Greens and the other crossbenchers is lowering that likelihood. Speaking on Thursday, Mr Rockliff said his decision not to hold a portfolio was 'not uncommon' for premiers across the country. 'As you well know, as observers of question time, I am asked questions right across the breadth of portfolio responsibilities and so what I am committed to is ensuring that the commitments we made at the last election are delivered.' The Premier rejected the prospect of another no confidence motion, as has been threatened by Labor leader Dean Winter. 'The people have spoken,' Mr Rockliff said. 'What the election said, and people of Tasmania clearly demonstrated, is they are sick and tired of the political games. Mr Winter continues to play political games. 'There will not be another election.' It was a no confidence motion from the Labor leader which triggered Tasmania's fourth election in seven years in July. The July 19 election returned a hung parliament, with neither Mr Rockliff's Liberal Party nor Labor winning enough seats for majority government. On Wednesday, Tasmanian Governor Barbara Baker appointed Mr Rockliff as Premier. Mr Winter came out swinging on Wednesday, saying another vote of no confidence was in the offing. 'There will be a motion moved,' Mr Winter said. 'Whether it is by us or an independent, a motion will be moved in parliament of no confidence in the Liberals and confidence in a Labor government.' The first chance for such a motion to be put forward will be when parliament sits again in two weeks' time. Tasmania's parliament has 35 seats. The Liberals won 14, Labor won 10, the Greens have five, five independents won seats and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers snagged one. The Hobart Mercury and ABC reported Labor have held meetings with the majority crossbench, but not the Greens, on Thursday afternoon, while Labor MPs will meet with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MP Carlo Di Falco on the weekend. The Greens have criticised the Labor leader for his unwillingness to negotiate. 'If Dean Winter wants to become Premier, change the government and change Tasmania in the way he says he does, he needs to get serious about negotiating with the crossbench and that includes the Greens,' Greens deputy leader Vica Bayley said on Thursday. 'You do not get 26 per cent of the vote in a general election, and expect, and expect to get 100 per cent of things your way in the future.'
ABC News
01-08-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Independent Braddon MP Craig Garland won't sign confidence and supply agreement with Liberals
Tasmanian independent MP Craig Garland has ruled out signing a confidence and supply agreement with Premier Jeremy Rockliff, making the Liberals' return to power more difficult. The Liberals have won at least 14 seats following the July 19 election, four short of the 18 seats needed to govern in majority. Mr Garland, who was re-elected in the seat of Braddon, was one of several crossbenchers who the Liberals had been negotiating with to secure their support to govern in minority. But in a statement released on Friday morning, Mr Garland said he had no faith in Mr Rockliff. "In the previous parliament, I supported the no-confidence motion brought forward by Labor leader Dean Winter for a range of reasons — chief among them the premier's mishandling of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium and the disastrous, wholly unsustainable budget delivered by his treasurer. "Since calling the election, the premier and his party have refused to acknowledge our dire financial situation or the deeply flawed way they have attempted to push through the stadium project — ignoring community concerns and seeking to bypass scrutiny by the Independent Panel." Mr Garland said the government's handling of the Marinus Link decision, including last-minute, confidential briefings for crossbenchers about the project, was unacceptable. "While the premier promised to do things differently after the election, the recent handling of the Marinus Link decision tells a different story. "It was rushed, secretive and emblematic of a government that has learned nothing. "The same arrogance, lack of transparency, incompetence and dishonesty continue to define this administration, with the energy minister on behalf of the government, signing Tasmania up to yet another multi-billion dollar — behind closed doors — deal, without a mandate and without proper scrutiny, that will cost Tasmanians." Mr Garland said these were not "traits of a government" that he could support. "I will not waste my time or Mr Rockliff's by entering into any formal negotiations with him, which is why I called him this morning to tell him as much. I also believe it is important to be up-front with the Tasmanian people about this." His decision gives Labor a better chance of forming a minority government, even though it has only secured 10 seats, with a chance of picking up an 11th seat in Bass. "I look forward to continuing discussions with Mr Winter." In a subsequent interview on ABC Mornings, Mr Garland confirmed he would support a motion of no confidence in Mr Rockliff, if one is moved when parliament returns.
SBS Australia
18-07-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Tasmanians head to polls in early election
Tasmanians head to polls in early election Published 18 July 2025, 7:45 am Tasmanians are heading to the polls for their second state election in just two years. The last term of government collapsed after a little more than 12 months when cross bench MPs, who'd previously backed the government, voted in favour of a no confidence motion in Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
