The Greyhound Welfare Integrity Commission will be put under the miscroscope next week in Goulburn.
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On Thursday, June 3, the Goulburn Greyhound Racing Club will host a hearing run by a parliamentary committee which is currently investigating the effectiveness of the GWIC.
The hearing is one of four set to take place over the next week in regional centres across the state, with members of the public invited to attend and address the committee directly in a public forum.
The Upper House inquiry was formed in September 2020, following "stories in the media that the GWIC isn't doing its job effectively", committee chair, the Hon Robert Borsak MLC, said.
"Our terms of reference require us to look into how well the commission is performing its role, with a particular focus on the policies, procedures, mechanisms, and overarching principles of the commission in relation to industry participants," Mr Borsak said.
"The committee is also looking at the appropriateness of disciplinary action and options for appeal; the relationship between the commission, Greyhound Racing NSW and industry participants; the current funding agreement between the commission and Greyhound Racing NSW; and the commission's role in improving the welfare of greyhounds."
GGRC secretary, Pat Day, welcomed the opportunity to maintain transparency between the the sport of greyhound racing, the government, and the community.
"The Goulburn Club is pleased the Upper House Enquiry is travelling to Goulburn to enable local owners and trainers to participate in giving their account of the effectiveness and performance of GWIC and GRNSW," Mr Day said.
"This is also a demonstration of the transparency and inclusiveness the sport adopts in 2021."
The GWIC was formed in 2017 to be an independent regulator of greyhound racing in NSW. According to its website, the commission is responsible for:
- Controlling and regulating greyhound racing
- Administering the Greyhound Racing Rules
- Registering greyhounds and industry participants (including but not limited to owners, breeders, trainers and bookmakers)
- Investigating animal welfare and integrity concerns relating to greyhound racing in NSW
- Employing race stewards, inspectors, investigators and veterinary officers.
The Upper House Inquiry will hold three other hearings in Newcastle (Thursday, May 27), Bathurst (Friday, May 28), and Temora (Wednesday, June 2).
The hearing in Goulburn will be held at the premises of the Goulburn Greyhound Racing Club at 47 Braidwood Road. A start time was not specified.
Should any members of the public wish to address the committee during the public forum, they are asked to register their interest with the secretariat by emailing GWIC@parliament.nsw.gov.au as limited spaces are available.
Each individual has up to five minutes to speak during the forum.
"It is important for the committee to hear directly from those in regional areas who are part of the racing community, or who have views about the regulation of the greyhound industry at present," Mr Borsak said.
Proceedings from each of the hearing will be broadcast live on parliament's website.
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