Industry updates / 30 August 2019: Greyhound Racing Regulation 2019

Greyhound Racing Regulation 2019 - effective 1 September 2019

In June 2019, the NSW Office of Racing commenced a period of public consultation for a proposed Greyhound Racing Regulation 2019.

After considering submissions made by stakeholders and the public, the NSW Government has introduced new regulations for the greyhound racing industry, effective 1 September 2019.

The new regulations are another step in delivering the Government’s commitment to ensuring a sustainable greyhound racing industry based on high standards of animal welfare and integrity, as recommended in the Greyhound Industry Reform Panel report. The Commission has a major role in delivering this goal.

The Commission welcomes the next chapter of industry reform that will be introduced by the Greyhound Racing Regulation 2019 which comes into effect from 1 September 2019. It replaces the Greyhound Racing Regulation 2018.

The new Regulation:

• enables the Commission to implement the next phase of the enhanced registration framework. This scheme will see five new registration types introduced including Greyhound Health Assistant, Trial Track Proprietor, Race Official, Promoter and Artificial Insemination Technician. Any participants currently performing these activities in the industry will be considered registered on 1 September 2019 although they will be required to apply for the relevant registration type (s) by 31 December 2019 in order to continue performing these roles.
• requires a participant to notify the Commission if they are charged with an animal cruelty offence.
• changes the penalty infringement notice scheme by adjusting the amount of some fines that can be issued for offences under the legislation and introducing new fines for some other offences.
• lists the organisations the Commission can share information from the three registers held by the Commission, being the register of greyhounds, register of greyhound racing industry participants and register of trial tracks. This does not include the sharing of any personal financial information the Commission may hold.