Open letter: It’s time to end greyhound racing in NSW
An open letter to the Premier of New South Wales, the Hon. Chris Minns MP, and the NSW Parliament
October 2026 marks ten years since the NSW Government reversed its decision to end greyhound racing.
On 11 October 2016, in a media release titled “Greyhound Racing Given One Final Chance Under Toughest Regulations in the Country”, the Liberal-National Coalition Government announced the reversal of its recently legislated ban on greyhound racing - a reversal supported by the Labor Opposition - and instead gave the industry “one last chance” to reform.
The Honourable Chris Minns MP, now Premier, had stated in August 2016 that “if there is still non-compliance across the industry after a period of two years it should be closed down.”
That “chance” has now been tested for over a decade, and it has failed.
“One final chance” has caused a decade of harm.
Since July 2017, when a phase out of greyhound racing in NSW was initially scheduled to have taken effect, more than:
600 greyhounds have died on NSW tracks;
25,000 have been injured;
5,796 rule breaches have been recorded, including offences involving drugging and animal cruelty; and;
$207 million in taxpayer funding has propped up the industry*.
The industry has had every chance to reform, but has failed to make greyhound racing safe:
Five separate reviews have investigated the industry’s regulatory framework since 2016.
The 2025 “Drake Inquiry” made 65 recommendations after finding “significant governance and operational failures.” Many key recommendations remain unimplemented, including a cap on breeding and an end to exporting retired dogs overseas.
While other jurisdictions take action to end the cruelty of greyhound racing, NSW is being left behind:
The ACT outlawed greyhound racing in 2018, while Tasmania recently committed to stop public funding of greyhound racing by 2029.
New Zealand ended commercial greyhound racing on 1 August 2026.
Wales and Scotland have both legislated bans.
Greyhound racing is now banned in 44 US states, with active tracks remaining in just one US state.
Greyhound racing carries an inherent risk of death and serious injury to the dogs involved. It exists primarily as a wagering product. The harm, the regulatory burden and the cost to the public no longer justify its continuation - it is time for NSW to phase out greyhound racing.
Wentworth Park's closure should be the beginning of the end for the greyhound racing industry in NSW - not the start of its next chapter elsewhere.
October 2026 also marks the end of greyhound racing at Sydney’s Wentworth Park, with the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chaseon 16 October serving as the venue’s final racing and gambling meeting. We welcome the NSW Government’s decision to end greyhound racing at Wentworth Park and return the Crown Land to the community as public open space.
The end of greyhound racing at Wentworth Park should be a step towards phasing out greyhound racing in NSW. However, the NSW Government has committed $10 million of public funding to support the transition of greyhound racing from Wentworth Park to other tracks. Upon announcement, Greyhound Racing NSW called this windfall funding "meagre" and called for "better compensation for leaving Wentworth Park."
We, the undersigned, oppose further Government funding of the greyhound racing industry. At a time of real pressure on household budgets and public services, taxpayer dollars are better invested in healthcare, education, transport and community infrastructure, not a cruel corner of the gambling industry.
We call on the NSW Parliament to:
Commit to a planned phase-out of greyhound racing in New South Wales; and
End further public funding of the greyhound racing industry.
Ten years ago, greyhound racing was given “one last chance.” A decade of deaths, injuries, rule breaches and public expense has followed. There should be no more chances. It is time to end greyhound racing in New South Wales.
Co-signed by
Political representatives
Abigail Boyd, Greens NSW MLC
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens
Alex Greenwich MP, Independent Member for Sydney
Emma Hurst MLC, Animal Justice Party
Clover Moore, Lord Mayor, City of Sydney
Olly Arkins, Deputy Lord Mayor, City of Sydney
Jess Miller, Councillor, City of Sydney
Jacqui Scruby MP, Independent Member for Pittwater
Kobi Shetty, Greens NSW Member for Balmain
Animal welfare and advocacy organisations
Animal Justice Party NSW
Animal Liberation
Animal Rights Activism Sydney
Animals Australia
Australian Alliance for Animals
City of Sydney
Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds
Companion Animal Network Australia
FOUR PAWS
Friends of the Hound
GREY2K USA Worldwide
Greens NSW
Greyhound Community Action Group
Hounds in Homes
Humane World for Animals
Northern Sydney Rescue Greyhound Group
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Sentient
Sydney Animal Save
Sydney Dogs & Cats Home
Vegan Action Global
Voiceless
World Animal Protection
Young Animal Justice Party NSW
NOTES FOR MEDIA
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Dr Jed Goodfellow leads the Alliance’s law and policy reform agenda. He has over 20 years’ experience in animal welfare law, policy and advocacy. He completed his PhD in animal welfare regulation in 2015.
About the Australian Alliance for Animals
The Australian Alliance for Animals is a national charity leading a strategic alliance of Australia’s key animal protection organisations with a combined supporter base of over 2 million people. Core members include Animals Australia, Humane World for Animals Australia, World Animal Protection Australia, Compassion in World Farming, FOUR PAWS Australia, and Voiceless, the animal protection institute.
Website: www.allianceforanimals.org.au