With the Federal Election on the horizon, the Greyhound Owners Trainers and Breeders Association of Victoria has undertaken the task of contacting candidates.
GOTBAV has begun sending letters to Victorian candidates, including those from the ALP, Liberal, National, Country Party, Independents and Liberal Democrats.
“We will be asking each candidate where they stand in relation to greyhound racing,” GOTBAV president Sandra Reed said.
“We are also sending a fact sheet which outlines the economic benefit of greyhound racing to Victoria, especially in regional areas.
“We will update members once we begin hearing back from candidates. This will help our members make an informed decision on election day.”
See below for the full letter sent to politicians and read the accompanying fact sheet.
We are writing to you on behalf of the Greyhound Owners, Trainers and Breeders Association of Victoria to formally identify your position in relation to greyhound racing.
We are a volunteer-run community organisation with a rich 87-year history.
As a key greyhound racing stakeholder we are striving for the improved integrity of the industry and the promotion of animal welfare.
Given the current opposition to the industry from a vocal minority, it is vital for us to confirm the official position of politicians and community leaders, in order to gain clarity for the 20,000 greyhound racing participants, their families, and fans of the sport.
The greyhound racing industry is currently going through major change, sparked by a Four Corners report which revealed conduct unacceptable to both the industry and the public.
Government investigations and an investigative response by the industry regulator has found no further evidence of such conduct.
We see this as a watershed moment for our sport and welcome new regulations and the greater focus on animal welfare.
We feel this will only strengthen our already robust industry and secure its long-term future.
Media coverage has tended to hinge on the comments of radical animal rights groups and their campaigns based on misinformation.
Subsequently, it is imperative for us to communicate the facts to politicians and community leaders, including the value of the industry from a social and economic perspective.
We have attached a greyhound racing facts sheet to help you understand the importance of our industry, both socially and economically, particularly to the rural communities of Victoria.
We politely request a response outlining your official position on the industry so that we may communicate this with our members.
June 2016 The Facts on Greyhound Racing in Victoria
The Victoria Greyhound Racing Industry contributed more than $315M in real gross value added to the Victorian Economy in the 2010/2011 season. Household income earned from employment in the greyhound racing industry totalled $172.2M. In the same season, the Greyhound Racing Industry generated $234.4M in total direct spending with $94M spent on preparing and producing greyhounds for racing. Of the 13 greyhound race clubs (GRCs) in Victoria, 11 are in Regional areas. Outer Melbourne region has Cranbourne & Healesville GRCs, Barwon has Geelong GRC, Western Districts has Warrnambool GRC, Central Highlands has Ballarat GRC, Loddon has Bendigo GRC, Wimmera has Horsham GRC, Goulburn has Shepparton GRC, Gippsland has Warragul & Traralgon GRCs and East Gippsland has Sale GRC. Only Ovens‐Murray and Mallee regions do not have a greyhound race club located in their regions. 85% of the total direct spending generated by the Victoria Greyhound Racing Industry is in Regional Victoria. This spending broken down by region equates to $18.8M in Barwon, Central Highlands $18.1M, Loddon $16.1M, Wimmera $5.1M, Goulburn $15.2M, Outer Melbourne $74.7M, Gippsland $21.5M, East Gippsland $19.1M and $1.4M combined for Ovens‐Murray and Mallee. In 2010/2011, 19,795 people were directly involved as participants or employees in the Victorian Greyhound Racing Industry. Only 26% were located in Melbourne Metro, with 27% located in Outer Melbourne, 8.5% in Barwon, 6.7% in Loddon and 10.7% in Gippsland / East Gippsland combined. 5.9% were each located in Goulburn and Western Districts while 5.1% were located in Central Highlands. 1.7% were located in Wimmera with the two regional areas without greyhound racing tracks, Ovens and Mallee supplying the balance. This equates to over 3000 direct full time jobs across the State. Supporting industries such as veterinarians, feed suppliers, hospitality and retail, transport and many other small businesses who rely on the greyhound racing industry for their continued success provide thousands more indirect jobs. In 2010/2011, 165,271 people attended race meetings of which 65% attended Regional racetracks. 1,089 Greyhound Race Meetings were conducted in Victoria during the 2015 Financial Year. No other Racing Code conducted as many meetings in the same period of time, and 81% of the meetings held were in Regional Victoria. 12,951 actual races were run from these 1,089 meetings. $1.6B was wagered on these 12,951 races, Australia wide. $871M of this amount was wagered on‐ course or via the Victorian TAB which was a 5.5% year on year increase, the biggest increase of the three racing codes. Data and statistics quoted are taken from the 2014/2015 Greyhound Racing Victoria Annual Report & the 2014 study by IER into the economic impact of turf, harness and greyhound racing in Victoria in the 2010/2011 racing season.
