The public has been invited to make submissions to the Inquiry into Greyhound Racing New South Wales (GRNSW), as announced by the Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris.
The Inquiry will be led by Lea Drake, an experienced mediator and investigator, who has been appointed as an Acting Commissioner of the NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission.
The Inquiry is set to begin hearings on 16 September 2024 at 80 William Street, Sydney.
While most sessions will be open to the public, some may be conducted privately. Submissions from the public and industry participants are encouraged and must be submitted by Friday 13 September 2024.
Those interested can make a submission through the official website or by emailing the Inquiry directly.
The primary objective of the Drake Inquiry is to assess the welfare and care of greyhounds within the industry, evaluate the processes and management of GRNSW and scrutinise the accuracy of the organisation's reporting.
The Inquiry will also examine the effectiveness of GRNSW's functions under the current legislation and its operating licence, as well as the organisation's response to compliance issues and concerns about workplace culture.
Acting Commissioner Lea Drake stated: “We would like to encourage anyone who would like to contribute to the Inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW to come forward and lodge a submission. It is absolutely essential that as many voices as possible be heard during this Inquiry, so that we can reliably determine the veracity of a range of concerns with Greyhound Racing NSW.”
Drake also noted that submissions can be kept confidential upon request and highlighted several areas of interest for the Inquiry, including the welfare and care of greyhounds, racecourse safety, track standards and concerns related to workplace culture and management practices at GRNSW.
In May 2024, Premier Greyhound Racing (PGR) and SIS announced an updated greyhound racing schedule in the UK, part of the ongoing efforts to enhance the racing experience for operators and viewers.
Acting Commissioner Drake is expected to report the Inquiry’s findings to the Minister by 13 December 2024.
The results of the Inquiry could have significant implications for the future of greyhound racing in New South Wales, particularly concerning animal welfare and industry governance.
