Tasmanian government defends greyhound racing funding after critical report

A study suggests state support for Tasmanian greyhound racing has risen by an average of 5.6 per cent annually.

Australia.- The Tasmania state government had defended its use of public funds for greyhound racing amid after a study highlighted the cost of supporting each job in the industry. 

A report authored by economist Saul Eslake was commissioned by a coalition of 12 groups, including Tasmanian Greens and the animal welfare bodies RSPCA Tasmania and Dogs Homes of Tasmania. It says that government support for Tasmanian greyhound racing has risen by an average of 5.6 per cent annually, outpacing growth of 4.1 per cent in education funding. Over the past 15 years, the state has provided AU$74.6m for the sport, rising from AU$3.5m in 2010-11 to a projected AU$7.5m in 2024-25. 

The cost of sustaining each job in the industry has risen by 91 per cent in 10 years to AU$12,140. The figures mean that Tasmania spends the most per person of any Australian state at an avergae of AU$12.70 per person compared to a national average of AU$5.27. That’s despite an 11 per cent decline in race attendance from 26,700 in 2011-12 to 23,740 in 2022-23. wagering on greyhound races of almost 26 per cent since 2021-22, more than double the decline in horse racing betting.

Eslake said: “The number of race meetings, the number of races, the number of starters, the number of spectators attending race meetings, the number of greyhound racing club members, and the amount gambled on greyhound races are all trending down.

“The only thing that is heading in the opposite direction is the amount of government funding provided to the ‘industry.'”

New Zealand has announced plans to end greyhound racing by July 2026, while Wales aims to become the first UK nation to introduce a ban. The Tasmanian government’s existing funding deal with Tasracing, the industry body, will expire in 2029.

Eslake said the 2029 deadline gives the government an opportunity to halt investment. However, the government has argued that the report is misleading. It says the greyhound racing industry contributes around $208m to Tasmania’s economy annually.