ACT: Fairness missing from greyhound shutdown

ACT has lodged a differing view on the Racing Industry (Closure of Greyhound Racing Industry) Amendment Bill, urging real compensation for a sector that has had its property rights brushed aside.

“Thousands of salt-of-the-earth New Zealanders have built livelihoods in greyhound racing. Many in the greyhound community feel Wellington doesn’t understand them, and now they are losing their industry through no fault of their own,” says ACT MP Cameron Luxton, who participated in the Primary Production Committee’s consideration of the Bill.

“Greyhound breeders, owners, and venues invested in good faith. They followed the rules, complied with ever-increasing regulation, and adapted to stronger animal welfare standards.

“ACT understands the intent of the Bill. We do not oppose moves to support animal welfare, and it is clear the legislation has the support of Parliament. We’d like to see the Bill improved.

“When the state decides to close a lawful industry and render private assets worthless, property rights matter. ACT took the principled position to stand up for licensed firearm owners when Labour seized their property, and the same principle applies here.

“ACT has listened closely to people involved in the industry and pushed hard for proper compensation. We have already shifted the dial so participants will recover at least part of their assets, and funds from the sector will be directed to re-homing dogs instead of horse racing. But let’s be honest, this is still a raw deal for many people who did everything asked of them. Betting on overseas greyhound racing will continue, but there’s no guarantee the revenue will support the industry’s wind-down.

“Around 1,600 greyhounds will need to be rehomed. The SPCA, the Ministerial Advisory Committee, and industry representatives all acknowledge the scale of that challenge. Rushing the shutdown risks overwhelming rehoming agencies and harming the very animals the Bill claims to protect.

“People built their lives around this sport. If Parliament insists on closing it, the least it can do is treat those people, and the dogs involved, with fairness, transparency, and basic decency.”