Months after greyhound trainers were discovered to be engaging in ‘live baiting’, Queensland’s racing industry continues to collapse. The results of an inquiry into training practices in the industry has been published, and Racing Queensland’s CEO may be out of a job. Proof of live baiting was first discovered in February, when Animal Liberation Queensland captured footage of the practice.
Live baiting is the act of using live animals to bait greyhounds in order to make them race faster, a very cruel practice that is frowned upon. It was then broadcasted on ABC’s Four Corners television program, inspiring a backlash from the local community and government. In response to the program, the Commission of Inquiry was established with Alan MacSporran leading an investigation into greyhound racing in Queensland.
This week, he handed down his final report, and the results did not bode well for Darren Condon, head of Queensland Racing. He has now been given five days to offer up a sufficient argument as to why he should not be fired. Additionally, many boards associated with Queensland Racing have been disbanded.
These include the Queensland Greyhound Racing Board, Queensland Harness Racing Board, the Queensland Call Codes Racing Industry Board and the Queensland Thoroughbred Racing Board. “Today we are starting a clean slate,” says Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“All Queenslanders want a racing industry that is based on integrity and proper animal welfare, not one that is characterised by cruelty, dishonesty and, at best, dubious regulation and an environment in which there is a failure of simple compliance measures”. The greyhound racing industry in Queensland will have to work hard to bounce back from this controversy.
It is likely that new heads will be put in charge to run Racing Queensland in a proper manner and ensure that all industry professionals are engaging in above-board behaviour.
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