{"id":"BILL-TAS-greyhound-racing-legislation-amendments-phasing-out-reform-bill-2025-66-of-2025","name":"Greyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform) Bill 2025","slug":"greyhound-racing-legislation-amendments-phasing-out-reform-bill-2025","collection":"bill","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":"2025-01-01","administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":446187,"registerId":"BILL-TAS-greyhound-racing-legislation-amendments-phasing-out-reform-bill-2025-66-of-2025:current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2025-01-01","status":"in_force","reasons":null,"registeredAt":"2026-05-08T16:48:19.034Z"},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0001","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 1","content":"# Greyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform) Bill 2025\n\n[Bill 66]-VII\nTASMANIA\n__________\nGREYHOUND RACING LEGISLATION\nAMENDMENTS (PHASING OUT REFORM) BILL\n2025\n__________\nCONTENTS\nPART 1 – PRELIMINARY\n1. Short title\n2. Commencement\nPART 2 – ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 1993 AMENDED\n3. Principal Act\n4. Section 11C inserted\n11C. Greyhound racing and commercial dog racing\nPART 3 – DOG CONTROL ACT 2000 AMENDED\n5. Principal Act\n6. Section 18 amended (Effective control of greyhounds)\n7. Section 18B inserted\n18B. Breeding of greyhounds\nPART 4 – RACING REGULATION AND INTEGRITY ACT 2024\nAMENDED\n8. Principal Act\n9. Section 194A inserted\n194A. Further savings and transitional provisions\n10. Schedule 8 inserted\n\n2\nSCHEDULE 8 – FURTHER SAVINGS AND\nTRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS\nPART 5 – RACING REGULATION AND INTEGRITY ACT 2024\nFURTHER AMENDED\n11. Principal Act\n12. Long title amended\n13. Section 3 amended (Interpretation)\n14. Section 53 amended (Integrity and Animal Welfare Standards)\n15. Section 57 amended (Racing Integrity Committee)\n16. Section 59 amended (General functions and powers of\nTasracing)\n17. Section 62 amended (Rules of Racing)\n18. Section 68 amended (Appointment of stewards and other racing\nofficials)\n19. Section 71 amended (Tasmanian Racing Appeal Board (TRAB))\n20. Section 76 amended (Persons may appeal to TRAB about certain\nmatters)\n21. Section 77 amended (Other rights of appeal to TRAB)\n22. Section 79 amended (Procedure on appeals)\n23. Section 99 amended (Determination of appeals)\n24. Section 120 amended (Prohibition of proprietary racing)\n25. Section 122 amended (Stewards may regulate betting in certain\ncases)\n26. Section 131 amended (What is bookmaking?)\n27. Section 181 amended (Evidentiary provisions)\n28. Section 192 amended (Regulations)\nPART 6 – REPEAL OF ACT\n29. Repeal of Act\n\n[Bill 66] 3\nGREYHOUND RACING LEGISLATION\nAMENDMENTS (PHASING OUT REFORM) BILL\n2025\nThis Public Bill originated in the House of Assembly, and, having this day passed, is\nnow ready for presentation to the Legislative Council for its concurrence.\nLAURA ROSS, Clerk of the House\n4 December 2025\n(Brought in by the Minister for Racing, the Honourable Jane\nColleen Howlett)\nA BILL FOR\nAn Act to amend the Animal Welfare Act 1993, the Dog\nControl Act 2000 and the Racing Regulation and Integrity\nAct 2024\nBe it enacted by Her Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, by\nand with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and\nHouse of Assembly, in Parliament assembled, as follows:\nPART 1 – PRELIMINARY\n1. Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Greyhound Racing\nLegislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025.\n2. Commencement\n(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), the\nprovisions of this Act commence –\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out\nReform) Act 2025\nAct No. of 2025\ns. 2 Part 1 – Preliminary\n4\n(a) on 1 January 2026; or\n(b) if this Act does not receive the Royal\nAssent on or before 1 January 2026, on\nthe day on which this Act receives the\nRoyal Assent.\n(2) Parts 2, 3 and 5 commence on 1 July 2029.\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025\nAct No. of 2025\nPart 2 – Animal Welfare Act 1993 Amended s. 3\n5\nPART 2 – ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 1993 AMENDED\n3. Principal Act\nIn this Part, the Animal Welfare Act 1993* is\nreferred to as the Principal Act.\n4. Section 11C inserted\nAfter section 11B of the Principal Act, the\nfollowing section is inserted in Part 2:\n11C. Greyhound racing and commercial dog\nracing\n(1) In this section –\ncommercial dog race means a race,\nbetween two or more dogs in\npursuit of a mechanical or\nelectronic lure, where any one or\nmore of the following occurs:\n(a) persons who do not\nordinarily reside at the\npremises where the race is\nheld are allowed to attend\nthe race, whether by\npaying an admission fee\nor under other conditions;\n_______________________________________________________________\n*No. 63 of 1993\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out\nReform) Act 2025\nAct No. of 2025\ns. 4 Part 2 – Animal Welfare Act 1993 Amended\n6\n(b) the organiser of the race\ncauses or permits images\nof the racing to be\ntransmitted electronically\nor otherwise, for display\noutside the premises\nwhere the race is held;\n(c) the organiser of the race\ncauses or permits\ncommentary on the\nracing, or related betting\ninformation, to be\nbroadcast by radio, online\nor any other means;\n(d) payment is made or\nrequired for a dog to\nparticipate in the race;\ndog means an animal of the species\nCanis familiaris or Canis\nfamiliaris dingo;\ngreyhound means a greyhound dog;\ngreyhound race means a race in which\ngreyhounds compete, and\nincludes –\n(a) a greyhound trial or\ntraining race; and\n(b) racing in a test of speed of\na greyhound or of\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025\nAct No. of 2025\nPart 2 – Animal Welfare Act 1993 Amended s. 4\n7\ngreyhounds competing\nseparately.\n(2) A person must not –\n(a) conduct, organise or facilitate the\nconduct of a greyhound race or a\ncommercial dog race in\nTasmania; or\n(b) permit the conduct of a\ngreyhound race or a commercial\ndog race on premises owned or\noccupied by the person; or\n(c) otherwise take part in, or assist\nwith, the organisation or conduct\nof a greyhound race or a\ncommercial dog race in\nTasmania.\nPenalty: Fine not exceeding 100 penalty\nunits or imprisonment for a term\nnot exceeding 6 months, or both.\n(3) The owner or person in charge of a dog\nmust not allow the dog to participate in a\ngreyhound race or a commercial dog race\nin Tasmania.\nPenalty: Fine not exceeding 100 penalty\nunits or imprisonment for a term\nnot exceeding 6 months, or both.\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out\nReform) Act 2025\nAct No. of 2025\ns. 4 Part 2 – Animal Welfare Act 1993 Amended\n8\n(4) A person must not keep a dog for use in\ngreyhound races or commercial dog\nraces.\nPenalty: Fine not exceeding 100 penalty\nunits or imprisonment for a term\nnot exceeding 6 months, or both.\n(5) A person must not –\n(a) sell or supply a dog to another\nperson; or\n(b) offer a dog for sale or supply to\nanother person; or\n(c) breed, acquire or keep a dog, for\nsale or supply to another person –\nif the person knows, or ought reasonably\nto know, that the other person intends to\ncause or permit the dog to participate in a\ngreyhound race or a commercial dog\nrace.\nPenalty: Fine not exceeding 100 penalty\nunits or imprisonment for a term\nnot exceeding 6 months, or both.\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025\nAct No. of 2025\nPart 3 – Dog Control Act 2000 Amended s. 5\n9\nPART 3 – DOG CONTROL ACT 2000 AMENDED\n5. Principal Act\nIn this Part, the Dog Control Act 2000* is\nreferred to as the Principal Act.\n6. Section 18 amended (Effective control of\ngreyhounds)\nSection 18 of the Principal Act is amended as\nfollows:\n(a) by omitting from subsection (1)(c)(iii)\n“commands; or” and substituting\n“commands.”;\n(b) by omitting paragraph (d) from\nsubsection (1);\n(c) by omitting “section 18A;” from the\ndefinition of approved greyhound\nsuitability program in subsection (5) and\nsubstituting “section 18A or such other\nprogram as may be approved by the\nSecretary.”;\n(d) by omitting the definition of greyhound\nracing from subsection (5).\n_______________________________________________________________\n*No. 102 of 2000\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out\nReform) Act 2025\nAct No. of 2025\ns. 7 Part 3 – Dog Control Act 2000 Amended\n10\n7. Section 18B inserted\nAfter section 18A of the Principal Act, the\nfollowing section is inserted in Division 1:\n18B. Breeding of greyhounds\n(1) A person must not breed a litter from a\ngreyhound.\nPenalty: Fine not exceeding 100 penalty\nunits.\n(2) Subclause (1) does not apply if all of the\ndogs in the litter –\n(a) are bred for the purpose of being\ndomestic pets; and\n(b) are not bred for the purpose of\nracing other greyhounds.\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025\nAct No. of 2025\nPart 4 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Amended s. 8\n11\nPART 4 – RACING REGULATION AND INTEGRITY\nACT 2024 AMENDED\n8. Principal Act\nIn this Part, the Racing Regulation and Integrity\nAct 2024* is referred to as the Principal Act.\n9. Section 194A inserted\nAfter section 194 of the Principal Act, the\nfollowing section is inserted in Part 12:\n194A. Further savings and transitional provisions\nSchedule 8 has effect.\n10. Schedule 8 inserted\nAfter Schedule 7 to the Principal Act, the\nfollowing Schedule is inserted:\nSCHEDULE 8 – FURTHER SAVINGS AND\nTRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS\nSection 194A\n1. Interpretation\nIn this Schedule –\ncommencement day means the day on\nwhich this Schedule commences;\n_______________________________________________________________\n*No. 16 of 2024\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out\nReform) Act 2025\nAct No. of 2025\ns. 10 Part 4 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Amended\n12\nformer legislative scheme means the\nprovisions of this Act and the\nRules of Racing, as in force\nbefore the greyhound racing\nclosure date;\ngreyhound means a greyhound dog\nbred for the purposes of racing;\ngreyhound race means a race between\ngreyhound dogs in pursuit of a\nmechanical or electronic lure;\ngreyhound racing closure date means\n1 July 2029;\nnew legislative scheme means the\nprovisions of this Act and the\nRules of Racing, as in force on\nand after the greyhound racing\nclosure date;\nowner, in relation to a greyhound,\nincludes any person entitled to\npossession of it;\nregistered greyhound means a\ngreyhound that –\n(a) is registered by Tasracing\nunder the Rules of\nRacing; or\n(b) was registered by\nTasracing under the\nformer legislative scheme\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025\nAct No. of 2025\nPart 4 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Amended s. 10\n13\nimmediately before the\ngreyhound racing closure\ndate; or\n(c) is born to a greyhound\nreferred to in paragraphs\n(a) or (b);\ntransfer, in relation to a greyhound,\nmeans transfer ownership of the\nproperty in the greyhound by any\nmeans, including by sale, gift or\nsurrender;\ntransition period includes –\n(a) the period commencing\non the commencement\nday and ending\nimmediately before the\ngreyhound racing closure\ndate; and\n(b) such other period on or\nafter the greyhound racing\nclosure date as may be\nprescribed for the\npurposes of this\ndefinition;\nveterinary surgeon means a person\nregistered as a veterinary surgeon\npursuant to Part IV of the\nVeterinary Surgeons Act 1987.\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out\nReform) Act 2025\nAct No. of 2025\ns. 10 Part 4 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Amended\n14\n2. Exercise of powers during transition period\n(1) In this clause –\nspecified premises means any land,\npremises or vehicle at or on\nwhich greyhounds are kept,\ntrialled, transported, trained or\nraced.\n(2) In conducting, during the transition\nperiod, an investigation under Division 3\nof Part 2, in relation to the keeping, care,\nmanagement or use of greyhounds, the\nCommissioner may, in addition to any\nother powers conferred by this Act, issue\na person with a notice directing the\nperson to allow the Commissioner, or\nany person assisting the Commissioner,\nto enter, search and inspect specified\npremises.\n(3) If a notice is issued under subclause (2)\nin respect of specified premises, the\nCommissioner or any person assisting the\nCommissioner may, at any reasonable\ntime –\n(a) search and inspect the specified\npremises; and\n(b) inspect, take copies of or seize\nany records, documents or other\nmatter kept at the specified\npremises; and\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025\nAct No. of 2025\nPart 4 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Amended s. 10\n15\n(c) take such photographs, film or\naudio or visual recordings at the\nspecified premises as the\nCommissioner or person assisting\nthe Commissioner considers\nnecessary.\n(4) A person must not, without reasonable\nexcuse, fail to comply with a notice\nissued to the person under subclause (2).\nPenalty: Fine not exceeding 50 penalty\nunits.\n3. Greyhound racing closure plan\n(1) The Commissioner is to prepare and\nsubmit to the Minister a draft plan for the\nclosure of greyhound racing as soon as\npracticable after the commencement day.\n(2) The Minister may –\n(a) approve the draft closure plan as\nsubmitted under subclause (1); or\n(b) require the Commissioner to\namend the draft closure plan\nsubmitted under subclause (1).\n(3) The Commissioner, as soon as\npracticable after being required to do so\nunder subclause (2)(b), is to submit to the\nMinister under subclause (1) the draft\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out\nReform) Act 2025\nAct No. of 2025\ns. 10 Part 4 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Amended\n16\nclosure plan as amended in accordance\nwith the requirement.\n(4) For the avoidance of doubt, the\nMinister’s power under subclause (2)(b)\nmay be exercised more than once in\nrespect of the draft closure plan.\n(5) If the closure plan has been approved by\nthe Minister under subclause (2)(a), the\nCommissioner is to, in performing and\nexercising the Commissioner’s functions\nand powers under this Act, implement\nthe closure plan.\n(6) The Commissioner is to ensure that the\nclosure plan approved by the Minister\nunder subclause (2)(a) is available for\npublic inspection during the transition\nperiod on a website maintained by or on\nbehalf of the Commissioner.\n4. Transfer of greyhounds\n(1) In this clause –\nexternal greyhound racing body\nmeans a body in another State or\na Territory that performs\nfunctions in relation to the\nadministration and control of\ngreyhound racing;\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025\nAct No. of 2025\nPart 4 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Amended s. 10\n17\ngreyhound adoption program means a\ngreyhound adoption program that\nis approved by Tasracing.\n(2) During the transition period, the owner of\na registered greyhound must not transfer,\nor purport to transfer, ownership of the\ngreyhound unless –\n(a) in the case of a transfer, or\npurported transfer, to any of the\nfollowing persons, the owner has\nfirst notified Tasracing of the\nproposed transfer:\n(i) a person registered or\nlicensed as a greyhound\nowner under the Rules of\nRacing;\n(ii) a person authorised to\nown greyhounds by an\nexternal greyhound racing\nbody;\n(iii) a person or organisation\nthat manages a greyhound\nadoption program; or\n(b) in the case of a transfer or\npurported transfer, to a person\nother than a person referred to in\nparagraph (a)(i), (ii) or (iii), the\nowner has obtained the written\nconsent of Tasracing.\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out\nReform) Act 2025\nAct No. of 2025\ns. 10 Part 4 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Amended\n18\nPenalty: Fine not exceeding 50 penalty\nunits.\n5. Retirement of greyhounds\n(1) The owner of a registered greyhound\nmust, within 30 days after the occurrence\nof any of the following events, notify\nTasracing of that occurrence:\n(a) the greyhound has not raced for a\ncontinuous period of 12 months;\n(b) the greyhound attains the age of 6\nyears.\nPenalty: Fine not exceeding 50 penalty\nunits.\n(2) Subject to subclause (3), a greyhound in\nrespect of which a notification has been\nreceived under subclause (1) –\n(a) is taken not to be registered under\nthe Rules of Racing; and\n(b) may not be reregistered under the\nRules of Racing.\n(3) A greyhound that has not raced for a\ncontinuous period of 12 months may be\nreregistered under the Rules of Racing\nif –\n(a) the greyhound did not race due to\nan injury; and\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025\nAct No. of 2025\nPart 4 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Amended s. 10\n19\n(b) a veterinary surgeon is satisfied\nthat the greyhound has recovered\nadequately from the injury.\n6. Use of interstate and overseas greyhounds\n(1) In this clause –\ninterstate greyhound means a\ngreyhound that –\n(a) is ordinarily kept in another State\nor a Territory or outside\nAustralia; and\n(b) is not registered under the Rules\nof Racing.\n(2) The owner of an interstate greyhound\nmust not allow the greyhound to\nparticipate in a greyhound race in\nTasmania without the written consent of\nTasracing.\nPenalty: Fine not exceeding 50 penalty\nunits.\n(3) A person who holds a greyhound race\nmust not permit an interstate greyhound\nto participate in that race in Tasmania\nunless the person is satisfied that\nTasracing has consented to that\nparticipation under subclause (2).\nPenalty: Fine not exceeding 50 penalty\nunits.\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out\nReform) Act 2025\nAct No. of 2025\ns. 10 Part 4 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Amended\n20\n(4) Tasracing must not consent to the\nparticipation of an interstate greyhound\nin a race under subclause (2) unless\nTasracing is satisfied that –\n(a) adequate arrangements have been\nmade to ensure the health and\nwelfare of the greyhound whilst\nthe greyhound is in Tasmania;\nand\n(b) the giving of the consent is\nconsistent with any requirements\nspecified in the plan approved by\nthe Minister under clause 3(2)(a).\n7. Destruction of greyhounds\n(1) Subject to subclause (2), the owner of a\nregistered greyhound must not, during\nthe transition period, cause or allow the\ngreyhound to be destroyed without first\nobtaining the written consent of\nTasracing.\nPenalty: Fine not exceeding 100 penalty\nunits.\n(2) Subclause (1) does not apply to the\nowner of a registered greyhound if –\n(a) the greyhound is destroyed by a\nveterinary surgeon in an\nemergency, to relieve the","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0002","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 2","content":"Greyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025\nAct No. of 2025\nPart 4 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Amended s. 10\n21\ngreyhound of suffering or distress\ndue to illness or injury; or\n(b) the destruction of the greyhound\nis authorised under another Act.\n(3) Tasracing may only consent to the\ndestruction of a greyhound for the\npurposes of subclause (1) if satisfied that\nthe destruction of the greyhound is to be\ncarried out humanely and the destruction\nis necessary on animal welfare grounds.\n8. Breeding of greyhounds\n(1) A person must not, during the transition\nperiod, breed a litter from a greyhound.\nPenalty: Fine not exceeding 50 penalty\nunits.\n(2) Subclause (1) does not apply if all dogs\nin the litter were –\n(a) bred for the purpose of being\ndomestic pets; and\n(b) not bred for the purpose of racing\nother greyhounds.\n(3) Subclause (1) does not apply in the\nfollowing circumstances:\n(a) if the litter was whelped by the\ngreyhound from a pregnancy in\nexistence on 1 January 2026;\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out\nReform) Act 2025\nAct No. of 2025\ns. 10 Part 4 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Amended\n22\n(b) such other circumstances as may\nbe prescribed for the purposes of\nthis subclause.\n9. Authorisations in relation to greyhound\nracing on closure date\n(1) In this clause –\nauthorisation means any permit,\ncertificate, entitlement, approval,\npermission or other authorisation\nissued under the former\nlegislative scheme.\n(2) An authorisation under the former\nlegislative scheme in force immediately\nbefore the greyhound racing closure date\nis of no effect under this Act on and after\nthat closure date to the extent that it\nauthorises, or purports to authorise –\n(a) the holding of greyhound race\nmeetings; or\n(b) the use of racecourses for the\npurpose of greyhound racing; or\n(c) the registration of a club for the\npurpose of holding greyhound\nraces; or\n(d) the racing of greyhounds in\nTasmania; or\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025\nAct No. of 2025\nPart 4 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Amended s. 10\n23\n(e) the betting on contingencies\nrelating to greyhound races.\n10. Regulations\n(1) The Governor may make regulations of a\nsavings and transitional nature\nconsequent on the enactment of the\nGreyhound Racing Legislation\nAmendments (Phasing Out Reform) Act\n2025 to effect, and facilitate, the\ntransition from the old legislative scheme\nto the new legislative scheme.\n(2) Regulations made under subclause (1)\nmay –\n(a) specify that they take effect on –\n(i) the day on which any\nparticular provision of the\nGreyhound Racing\nLegislation Amendments\n(Phasing Out Reform) Act\n2025 commences; or\n(ii) a day after the day on\nwhich any particular\nprovision of the\nGreyhound Racing\nLegislation Amendments\n(Phasing Out Reform) Act\n2025 commences,\nwhether the day so\nspecified is before, on or\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out\nReform) Act 2025\nAct No. of 2025\ns. 10 Part 4 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Amended\n24\nafter the day on which the\nregulations are made; and\n(b) be made so as to apply differently\naccording to matters, limitations\nor restrictions, whether as to time,\ncircumstance or otherwise,\nspecified in the regulations; and\n(c) authorise any matter to be from\ntime to time determined, applied\nor regulated by any person or\nbody specified in the regulations.\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025\nAct No. of 2025\nPart 5 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Further Amended s. 11\n25\nPART 5 – RACING REGULATION AND INTEGRITY\nACT 2024 FURTHER AMENDED\n11. Principal Act\nIn this Part, the Racing Regulation and Integrity\nAct 2024* is referred to as the Principal Act.\n12. Long title amended\nThe long title of the Principal Act is amended by\nomitting “thoroughbred, harness and\ngreyhound” and substituting “thoroughbred\nand harness”.\n13. Section 3 amended (Interpretation)\nSection 3 of the Principal Act is amended as\nfollows:\n(a) by omitting “or greyhound races” from\nparagraph (a) of the definition of betting;\n(b) by omitting “or” from paragraph (b) of\nthe definition of code of racing;\n(c) by omitting paragraph (c) from the\ndefinition of code of racing;\n(d) by omitting the definitions of greyhound\nand greyhound race;\n_______________________________________________________________\n*No. 16 of 2024\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out\nReform) Act 2025\nAct No. of 2025\ns. 14 Part 5 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Further Amended\n26\n(e) by omitting “or greyhound” from\nparagraph (b) of the definition of minor\nappeal;\n(f) by omitting “or greyhound racing” from\nthe definition of racing;\n(g) by omitting “or greyhound” first\noccurring from the definition of\nTasmanian race field information;\n(h) by omitting “or greyhound” from\nparagraph (a) of the definition of\nTasmanian race field information;\n(i) by omitting “or greyhound” from\nparagraph (b) of the definition of\nTasmanian race field information.\n14. Section 53 amended (Integrity and Animal Welfare\nStandards)\nSection 53 of the Principal Act is amended as\nfollows:\n(a) by omitting from subsection (4)(f)\n“greyhounds and”;\n(b) by omitting from subsection (4)(g)\n“greyhounds and”;\n(c) by omitting from subsection (4)(h)\n“greyhounds and”;\n(d) by omitting from subsection (4)(i)\n“greyhounds and”;\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025\nAct No. of 2025\nPart 5 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Further Amended s. 15\n27\n(e) by omitting from subsection (5)(a) “and\nracing greyhounds”.\n15. Section 57 amended (Racing Integrity Committee)\nSection 57(3) of the Principal Act is amended as\nfollows:\n(a) by omitting from paragraph (d)\n“greyhounds or”;\n(b) by omitting from paragraph (e)\n“greyhound or” twice occurring.\n16. Section 59 amended (General functions and powers\nof Tasracing)\nSection 59 of the Principal Act is amended as\nfollows:\n(a) by omitting from subsection (1)(d) “and\ngreyhound”;\n(b) by omitting paragraph (g) from\nsubsection (2).\n17. Section 62 amended (Rules of Racing)\nSection 62(4)(d) of the Principal Act is amended\nas follows:\n(a) by omitting from subparagraph (iii) “or\ngreyhound”;\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out\nReform) Act 2025\nAct No. of 2025\ns. 18 Part 5 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Further Amended\n28\n(b) by omitting from subparagraph (v) “or\ngreyhound”.\n18. Section 68 amended (Appointment of stewards and\nother racing officials)\nSection 68(1) of the Principal Act is amended by\nomitting paragraph (f).\n19. Section 71 amended (Tasmanian Racing Appeal\nBoard (TRAB))\nSection 71(10)(b) of the Principal Act is\namended by omitting “or greyhound”.\n20. Section 76 amended (Persons may appeal to TRAB\nabout certain matters)\nSection 76 of the Principal Act is amended as\nfollows:\n(a) by omitting from subsection (1)(b)(ii) “or\ngreyhound”;\n(b) by omitting from subsection (2) “or\ngreyhound race”.\n21. Section 77 amended (Other rights of appeal to\nTRAB)\nSection 77(1) of the Principal Act is amended as\nfollows:\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025\nAct No. of 2025\nPart 5 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Further Amended s. 22\n29\n(a) by omitting from paragraph (a) “or\ngreyhound”;\n(b) by omitting from paragraph (b) “or\ngreyhound”.\n22. Section 79 amended (Procedure on appeals)\nSection 79(7) of the Principal Act is amended by\nomitting “or greyhound race” from the definition\nof race patrol film.\n23. Section 99 amended (Determination of appeals)\nSection 99(3) of the Principal Act is amended by\nomitting “or a greyhound”.\n24. Section 120 amended (Prohibition of proprietary\nracing)\nSection 120(4)(c) of the Principal Act is\namended by omitting “or greyhounds”.\n25. Section 122 amended (Stewards may regulate\nbetting in certain cases)\nSection 122 of the Principal Act is amended by\nomitting “or greyhound”.\n26. Section 131 amended (What is bookmaking?)\nSection 131(a) of the Principal Act is amended\nby omitting “or greyhound races”.\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out\nReform) Act 2025\nAct No. of 2025\ns. 27 Part 5 – Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Further Amended\n30\n27. Section 181 amended (Evidentiary provisions)\nSection 181(3)(b) of the Principal Act is\namended by omitting “or greyhound”.\n28. Section 192 amended (Regulations)\nSection 192(5)(a) of the Principal Act is\namended by omitting “or greyhound races”.\n\nGreyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)\nAct 2025\nAct No. of 2025\nPart 6 – Repeal of Act s. 29\n31\nPART 6 – REPEAL OF ACT\n29. Repeal of Act\nThis Act is repealed on the first anniversary of\nthe day on which the last uncommenced\nprovision of this Act commenced.\nGovernment Printer, Tasmania","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"summary":{"status_summary":"The Greyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform) Bill 2025 has been introduced in the Tasmanian House of Assembly and is awaiting debate and passage.","complexity_score":6,"likely_questions":["Are greyhound owners and industry participants eligible for any compensation for the loss of their business or asset values?","Can greyhound breeding continue if the puppies are intended as domestic pets only, and how is that enforced?","Who is responsible for the care and rehoming of existing racing greyhounds after 1 July 2029?","What will the closure plan contain, and will there be public consultation before ministerial approval?"],"complexity_factors":["Multiple commencement dates for different parts","Amendments to three distinct Acts with cross-references","Transitional scheme with specific regulatory approvals and conditions","Self-repeal provision adding a temporal layer","Definitions that vary slightly between Parts (e.g., 'greyhound race' in Part 2 vs Schedule 8)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Bill phases out commercial greyhound racing in Tasmania, banning races, breeding for racing, and associated activities from 1 July 2029 (with a 1 Jan 2026–30 Jun 2029 transition). It creates offences with fines or imprisonment, imposes registration, transfer and welfare controls during closure, and removes greyhound racing from racing law. No compensation or state-funded transition support is provided; new inspection and approval powers are granted. The phasing framework self-repeals after the transition completes."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The text remains focused on the stated purpose of phasing out greyhound racing. It does not expand into unrelated policy domains. That said, the Bill goes beyond a simple prohibition: it establishes a detailed transitional regulatory architecture (closure plan, inspection powers, transfer/destruction consents, retirement and re-registration rules) that substantially increases the regulatory footprint around the single policy objective of winding down greyhound racing. In other words, scope is broader in regulatory detail but remains within the original purpose of phasing out the industry."},"complexity_factors":["Three principal Acts amended (Animal Welfare Act 1993, Dog Control Act 2000, Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024).","29 sections across 6 Parts, plus an inserted Schedule (Schedule 8) with 10 substantive clauses creating a transitional regime.","Staged commencement dates (general start 1 Jan 2026, but key Parts commence 1 July 2029) and a bespoke repeal trigger (s 29).","Multiple new offences and penalties with overlapping application (s 11C, s 18B, Schedule 8 clauses 4–9) and differing penalty levels (50 vs 100 penalty units, imprisonment in some cases).","Substantial cross-references to the \"former\" and \"new\" legislative schemes and to Tasracing's Rules of Racing (Schedule 8 cl 1 and cl 9) that require checking prior instruments for effect.","Broad regulator discretion created (Commissioner may order entry/seizure; Tasracing must consent to transfers/destruction; Minister may require closure-plan amendments) — increases conditional logic and judicial-review risk.","Exceptions and carve-outs (pet-only breeding, veterinary emergency destruction, re-registration on medical grounds, adoption-program transfers) create nested conditional pathways to compliance.","Removal of multiple definitions and references to greyhounds throughout the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 (many small textual deletions in Part 5) — requires coordinated amendment of subordinate rules and practice.","Regulation-making powers to tailor transitional arrangements (Schedule 8 cl 10) allow further complexity to be introduced administratively.","Operational complexity from duties on multiple private actors (owners, Tasracing, stewards, adoption groups, vets) and public actors (Commissioner, Minister) during the transition period."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this Bill does, in plain English**\n\n- Introduces an outright legal ban on greyhound racing and most commercial dog racing activities in Tasmania (new Animal Welfare Act s 11C).  The ban makes it an offence to organise, conduct, assist with, host on your premises, enter a dog into, keep a dog for, sell or supply a dog for, or breed for the purpose of, greyhound or commercial dog racing.  Penalties include fines (up to 100 penalty units) and possible imprisonment (up to 6 months) for many of those offences (see s 11C(2)–(5)).\n\n- Amends the Dog Control Act 2000 to ban breeding litters from greyhounds (new s 18B), subject to a narrow exception where the entire litter is bred only as domestic pets and not for racing (s 18B(2)).\n\n- Adds a detailed transitional regime to the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 (Schedule 8) that:\n  - sets a formal closure date for greyhound racing (the \"greyhound racing closure date\" — 1 July 2029) and defines a transition period leading up to it (Schedule 8, cl 1);\n  - gives the Commissioner extra inspection and entry powers during the transition period for premises where greyhounds are kept or trained (cl 2);\n  - requires the Commissioner to prepare a closure plan for Tasracing to implement subject to Ministerial approval (cl 3);\n  - restricts transfers of registered greyhounds during the transition period: owners must notify Tasracing for certain transfers or obtain Tasracing's written consent in other cases (cl 4);\n  - requires owners to notify Tasracing when a registered greyhound retires (12 months off racing or turns 6) and generally prevents reregistration except in limited veterinary-approved circumstances (cl 5);\n  - restricts interstate/overseas greyhounds from racing in Tasmania without Tasracing consent and conditions for that consent (cl 6);\n  - requires Tasracing's written consent before a registered greyhound is destroyed during the transition period except in emergency veterinary circumstances or where another Act authorises destruction (cl 7);\n  - imposes a temporary prohibition on breeding greyhounds during the transition period with narrow exceptions (cl 8);\n  - declares that existing authorisations that previously allowed greyhound racing (permits, registrations, betting permissions, use of racecourses, etc.) lapse on and after the closure date to the extent they authorise racing or betting on greyhound races (cl 9);\n  - permits the Governor to make savings and transitional regulations to implement the change (cl 10).\n\n- Removes references to greyhound racing from the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024, narrows the statute's long title and terminology so the Act applies to thoroughbred and harness racing only, and removes greyhound-related powers and functions from Tasracing and related bodies (multiple amendments in Part 5, sections 12–28).\n\n- Provides staged commencements: most of the Bill starts 1 January 2026 (or on Royal Assent if later), but Parts 2, 3 and 5 (the substantive bans and the removal of greyhound references) commence on 1 July 2029 (see s 2).  The Act itself is repealed on the first anniversary of the day on which the last uncommenced provision of the Act commenced (s 29).\n\n\nWho is affected\n\n- Greyhound owners, trainers, breeders, clubs, racecourse operators and anyone who organises, promotes, transmits or facilitates greyhound or commercial dog races (directly targeted by s 11C and Schedule 8).\n- Tasracing and the Commissioner (given responsibilities to manage the closure plan, consent to transfers and destruction, and exercise inspection powers under Schedule 8 clauses 2–7).\n- Bookmakers, betting service providers and persons who broadcast or publish race information related to greyhound racing (the Bill removes greyhound racing from the regulated \"racing\" framework and from definitions tied to betting — Part 5).\n- Veterinary surgeons (authorised to destroy animals in emergencies and to certify recovery for possible reregistration — Schedule 8 cl 5 and cl 7).\n- Persons and organisations involved in greyhound adoption programs (they are recognised in transfer rules as permitted recipients, Schedule 8 cl 4).\n\n\nWhy it matters (mechanics, incentives and trade-offs)\n\n- Mechanically, the Bill eliminates legal space for greyhound racing in Tasmania and substitutes a structured, multi-year wind-down.  It converts many existing rights (permits, registrations, ability to hold race meetings) into forbidden activities after the closure date (Schedule 8 cl 9).\n\n- Decision-making and discretion are concentrated in a small set of public actors.  Tasracing must be notified or give written consent for transfers, destruction and interstate participation during the transition (Schedule 8 cl 4, cl 7, cl 6).  The Commissioner prepares and implements the closure plan subject to Ministerial approval (cl 3).  Those powers create several practical effects: owners and operators must interact with Tasracing for routine transactions; Tasracing and the Commissioner will exercise judgement that affects property and business choices.\n\n- The Bill emphasises animal welfare and orderly winding-down over compensation or market continuity: it prohibits breeding and racing while providing a regulated path (transfer, adoption, retirement) rather than a framework for owner compensation.  The Bill does not provide for financial compensation for lost business or licences.\n\n- Compliance and administrative costs fall mainly on the greyhound industry and on the regulator.  Owners must file notifications (retirement notifications, transfer notices), seek written consents, and comply with prohibition and record-keeping obligations.  Tasracing must manage approvals and keep the closure plan publicly available; the Commissioner is given investigatory powers to enforce compliance.\n\n- The Bill restricts private contract freedom in a narrow domain: transfers of registered greyhounds are curtailed and many existing authorisations cease to have effect for racing purposes at closure (Schedule 8 cl 4, cl 9).  That changes the value and transferability of greyhounds as assets and affects related commercial arrangements (training contracts, stud agreements, leasing of facilities).\n\n- Market effects likely include reduced economic activity tied to greyhound racing (race meetings, betting, associated services) and increased demand on adoption and animal welfare services for rehoming.  The Bill recognises adoption programs in the transfer rules (cl 4) but leaves their capacity and funding outside the text.\n\n\nTesting official purpose-claims against implementation and trade-offs\n\n- The Bill appears designed to \"phase out\" greyhound racing while managing animal welfare and preventing abrupt harms.  The transitional provisions (Schedule 8) supply concrete tools to try to achieve that objective: closure planning, inspection powers, consent controls over euthanasia, and targeted exceptions for emergencies and pet-only breeding (Schedule 8 cl 3, cl 2, cl 7, cl 8).\n\n- Costs and opportunity costs: owners, trainers and businesses lose a legal market and related revenue streams.  The Bill does not allocate funding for business transition, workforce redeployment, or expanded rehoming services — those are implementation gaps that can raise the risk of noncompliance or unplanned outcomes.\n\n- Regulatory discretion and implementation risk: Tasracing and the Commissioner get broad discretionary powers (e.g. consenting to transfers/destruction, approving closure plans).  That discretion can be necessary for a phased wind-down but creates potential for disputes and delay if the regulator lacks resources or clear decision-making criteria (Schedule 8 cl 3, cl 4, cl 7).\n\n- Legal and practical ambiguity: some definitions are broad (\"commercial dog race\" in s 11C) and the \"bred for the purpose of being domestic pets\" exception will require factual, case-by-case assessments that can create compliance uncertainty (Animal Welfare Act s 11C; Dog Control Act s 18B; Schedule 8 cl 8).\n\n- Enforcement burden and privacy/ownership effects: the Commissioner may require entry, inspection, seizure of records and recordings during the transition (Schedule 8 cl 2(3)).  That strengthens enforcement but raises practical and legal friction points for owners and operators.\n\n- Effects on related markets and behaviour: restrictions on interstate greyhounds, betting, and authorisations mean activity could shift offshore or into less-regulated channels.  The Bill anticipates some of that risk by requiring Tasracing consent for interstate participation (Schedule 8 cl 6) and by removing greyhound racing from the primary racing Act (Part 5).\n\n\nKey provisions to look at for implementation and legal challenge\n\n- Offences and penalties in the Animal Welfare Act (s 11C) and Dog Control Act (s 18B).\n- The closure plan process and Ministerial oversight (Schedule 8 cl 3).\n- Transfer, destruction and retirement controls (Schedule 8 cl 4, cl 7, cl 5).\n- Inspector/Commissioner powers of entry, inspection and seizure during transition (Schedule 8 cl 2).\n- The cessation of existing authorisations for racing and betting on the closure date (Schedule 8 cl 9).\n\n\nBottom line (mechanical):\nThis Bill removes legal authority for greyhound racing in Tasmania, bans related breeding and commercial race activities, and lays out a multi-year, regulator-led wind-down with inspection powers, transfer/consent rules, and retirement/adoption pathways.  The main costs fall on owners, breeders, race operators and related businesses; decision-making and practical control over the wind-down are concentrated with Tasracing and the Commissioner; the Bill does not create a financial compensation scheme and relies on existing agencies to administer notifications, consents and enforcement (see Animal Welfare Act s 11C; Dog Control Act s 18B; Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 Schedule 8)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/greyhound-racing-legislation-amendments-phasing-out-reform-bill-2025","history":"/api/acts/greyhound-racing-legislation-amendments-phasing-out-reform-bill-2025/history","analysis":"/api/acts/greyhound-racing-legislation-amendments-phasing-out-reform-bill-2025/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/greyhound-racing-legislation-amendments-phasing-out-reform-bill-2025/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/greyhound-racing-legislation-amendments-phasing-out-reform-bill-2025/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/greyhound-racing-legislation-amendments-phasing-out-reform-bill-2025/documents"}}