Act No. 17 of 2017. Introduced by /u/dyljam. Assented to 2017-12-24.
Greyhound Racing Prohibition Bill 2017
No. , 2017
The Hon. dyljam MP
Amended by the House of Representatives
A Bill for an Act to prohibit the racing of greyhounds in an organised competition.
Explanatory Memorandum
The purpose of this bill is to initiate an Act to prohibit the racing of greyhounds in an organised competition, and instigate penalties for those found violating this Act.
Second Reading Speech
The Greyhound Racing industry has proven itself incompatible with animal rights. The mistreatment of animals, including abuse and neglect is rampant within the industry, as well as the practice of using live animals as bait. As well as this, thousands of greyhounds are euthanised each year. These animals are usually fit and healthy animals; however are deemed by their owners to be no longer profitable.
There are only eight countries in the world which permit the greyhound racing industry. I ask all my fellow elected officials to assist in progressing the rights of those who cannot defend themselves, through supporting this important measure.
The Parliament of AustraliaSim enacts the following
PART 1 - PRELIMINARY
1. Short Title
This Act may be referred to as the Greyhound Racing Prohibition Act 2017.
2. Commencement
This Act is to commence on the 1st of July 2019.
3. Objects of this Act
The objects of this act are:
(a) To prohibit the racing of greyhounds in an organised competition.
(b) To prohibit the breeding of animals for greyhound racing.
(c) To penalise those who are found to be in breach of this Act once it commences.
4. Definitions
The definitions in this Act are:
Cruelty means the lack of adequate care of an animal, and/or inflicting physical or emotional pain upon an animal.
Domestic animal means a pet; dogs, cats or other tame animals or birds and which serve some purpose for its owner or others.
Greyhound racing means racing between greyhounds in competitive pursuit of an artificial lure, and includes:
(a) a greyhound trial or training race
(b) racing in a test of speed of a greyhound or of greyhounds competing separately.
Organised competition means a structured competition held by an individual or organisation, which involves the competitive racing of greyhounds.
PART 2 – APPLICATION
5. Closure of the greyhound racing industry
On and after the commencement date of this Act, a person must not
(a) Participate in the activities of greyhound racing
(b) Operate a facility in which the competitive racing of greyhounds takes place
(c) Partake in the competitive racing of a greyhound
(d) Provide betting services in relation to the racing of greyhounds
(e) Partake in the betting of racing greyhounds
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units, or imprisonment for 12 months, or both.
6. Termination of racing licenses
On and after the commencement date of this Act
(a) Any license provided to any individual or organisation by a Local, State, or the Commonwealth Government for the purposes of participating in greyhound racing will be terminated
(b) Any legislation by a Local, State or the Commonwealth Government permitting the registration of a club or organisation participating in greyhound racing will be terminated
7. Keeping of greyhounds for the purposes of racing
On and after the commencement date of this Act
(a) An individual or organisation must not keep greyhounds to be used in the racing of greyhounds.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units, or imprisonment for 12 months, or both.
8. Breeding or selling of animals for greyhound racing
On and after the commencement date of this Act
(a) A person or organisation must not breed animals for the purposes relating to greyhound racing.
(b) A person or organisation must not knowingly breed or sell animals to a person or organisation they know to be a participant in the racing of greyhounds.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units, or imprisonment for 12 months, or both.