Greyhound Racing Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform) Bill 2025
[Bill 66]-VII
TASMANIA
GREYHOUND RACING LEGISLATION
AMENDMENTS (PHASING OUT REFORM) BILL
2025
CONTENTS
PART 1 – PRELIMINARY
Short title
Commencement
PART 2 – ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 1993 AMENDED
Principal Act
Section 11C inserted
11C. Greyhound racing and commercial dog racing
PART 3 – DOG CONTROL ACT 2000 AMENDED
Principal Act
Section 18 amended (Effective control of greyhounds)
Section 18B inserted
18B. Breeding of greyhounds
PART 4 – RACING REGULATION AND INTEGRITY ACT 2024
AMENDED
Principal Act
Section 194A inserted
194A. Further savings and transitional provisions
Schedule 8 inserted
2
SCHEDULE 8 – FURTHER SAVINGS AND
TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
PART 5 – RACING REGULATION AND INTEGRITY ACT 2024
FURTHER AMENDED
11. Principal Act
12. Long title amended
13. Section 3 amended (Interpretation)
14. Section 53 amended (Integrity and Animal Welfare Standards)
15. Section 57 amended (Racing Integrity Committee)
16. Section 59 amended (General functions and powers of
Tasracing)
17. Section 62 amended (Rules of Racing)
18. Section 68 amended (Appointment of stewards and other racing
officials)
19. Section 71 amended (Tasmanian Racing Appeal Board (TRAB))
20. Section 76 amended (Persons may appeal to TRAB about certain
matters)
21. Section 77 amended (Other rights of appeal to TRAB)
22. Section 79 amended (Procedure on appeals)
23. Section 99 amended (Determination of appeals)
24. Section 120 amended (Prohibition of proprietary racing)
25. Section 122 amended (Stewards may regulate betting in certain
cases)
26. Section 131 amended (What is bookmaking?)
27. Section 181 amended (Evidentiary provisions)
28. Section 192 amended (Regulations)
PART 6 – REPEAL OF ACT
29. Repeal of Act
[Bill 66] 3
GREYHOUND RACING LEGISLATION
AMENDMENTS (PHASING OUT REFORM) BILL
2025
This Public Bill originated in the House of Assembly, and, having this day passed, is
now ready for presentation to the Legislative Council for its concurrence.
LAURA ROSS, Clerk of the House
4 December 2025
(Brought in by the Minister for Racing, the Honourable Jane
Colleen Howlett)
A BILL FOR
An Act to amend the Animal Welfare Act 1993, the Dog
Control Act 2000 and the Racing Regulation and Integrity
Act 2024
Be it enacted by Her Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, by
and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and
House of Assembly, in Parliament assembled, as follows:
PART 1 – PRELIMINARY
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Greyhound Racing
Legislation Amendments (Phasing Out Reform)
Act 2025.
Commencement
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), the
provisions of this Act commence –
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s. 2 Part 1 – Preliminary
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(a) on 1 January 2026; or
(b) if this Act does not receive the Royal
Assent on or before 1 January 2026, on
the day on which this Act receives the
Royal Assent.
(2) Parts 2, 3 and 5 commence on 1 July 2029.
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Part 2 – Animal Welfare Act 1993 Amended s. 3
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PART 2 – ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 1993 AMENDED
3. Principal Act
In this Part, the Animal Welfare Act 1993* is
referred to as the Principal Act.
4. Section 11C inserted
After section 11B of the Principal Act, the
following section is inserted in Part 2:
11C. Greyhound racing and commercial dog
racing
(1) In this section –
commercial dog race means a race,
between two or more dogs in
pursuit of a mechanical or
electronic lure, where any one or
more of the following occurs:
(a) persons who do not
ordinarily reside at the
premises where the race is
held are allowed to attend
the race, whether by
paying an admission fee
or under other conditions;
*No. 63 of 1993
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(b) the organiser of the race
causes or permits images
of the racing to be
transmitted electronically
or otherwise, for display
outside the premises
where the race is held;
(c) the organiser of the race
causes or permits
commentary on the
racing, or related betting
information, to be
broadcast by radio, online
or any other means;
(d) payment is made or
required for a dog to
participate in the race;
dog means an animal of the species
Canis familiaris or Canis
familiaris dingo;
greyhound means a greyhound dog;
greyhound race means a race in which
greyhounds compete, and
includes –
(a) a greyhound trial or
training race; and
(b) racing in a test of speed of
a greyhound or of
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greyhounds competing
separately.
(2) A person must not –
(a) conduct, organise or facilitate the
conduct of a greyhound race or a
commercial dog race in
Tasmania; or
(b) permit the conduct of a
greyhound race or a commercial
dog race on premises owned or
occupied by the person; or
(c) otherwise take part in, or assist
with, the organisation or conduct
of a greyhound race or a
commercial dog race in
Tasmania.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 100 penalty
units or imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 6 months, or both.
(3) The owner or person in charge of a dog
must not allow the dog to participate in a
greyhound race or a commercial dog race
in Tasmania.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 100 penalty
units or imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 6 months, or both.
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(4) A person must not keep a dog for use in
greyhound races or commercial dog
races.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 100 penalty
units or imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 6 months, or both.
(5) A person must not –
(a) sell or supply a dog to another
person; or
(b) offer a dog for sale or supply to
another person; or
(c) breed, acquire or keep a dog, for
sale or supply to another person –
if the person knows, or ought reasonably
to know, that the other person intends to
cause or permit the dog to participate in a
greyhound race or a commercial dog
race.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 100 penalty
units or imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 6 months, or both.
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Part 3 – Dog Control Act 2000 Amended s. 5
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PART 3 – DOG CONTROL ACT 2000 AMENDED
5. Principal Act
In this Part, the Dog Control Act 2000* is
referred to as the Principal Act.
6. Section 18 amended (Effective control of
greyhounds)
Section 18 of the Principal Act is amended as
follows:
(a) by omitting from subsection (1)(c)(iii)
“commands; or” and substituting
“commands.”;
(b) by omitting paragraph (d) from
subsection (1);
(c) by omitting “section 18A;” from the
definition of approved greyhound
suitability program in subsection (5) and
substituting “section 18A or such other
program as may be approved by the
Secretary.”;
(d) by omitting the definition of greyhound
racing from subsection (5).
*No. 102 of 2000
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7. Section 18B inserted
After section 18A of the Principal Act, the
following section is inserted in Division 1:
18B. Breeding of greyhounds
(1) A person must not breed a litter from a
greyhound.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 100 penalty
units.
(2) Subclause (1) does not apply if all of the
dogs in the litter –
(a) are bred for the purpose of being
domestic pets; and
(b) are not bred for the purpose of
racing other greyhounds.
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PART 4 – RACING REGULATION AND INTEGRITY
ACT 2024 AMENDED
8. Principal Act
In this Part, the Racing Regulation and Integrity
Act 2024* is referred to as the Principal Act.
9. Section 194A inserted
After section 194 of the Principal Act, the
following section is inserted in Part 12:
194A. Further savings and transitional provisions
Schedule 8 has effect.
10. Schedule 8 inserted
After Schedule 7 to the Principal Act, the
following Schedule is inserted:
SCHEDULE 8 – FURTHER SAVINGS AND
TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
Section 194A
Interpretation
In this Schedule –
commencement day means the day on
which this Schedule commences;
*No. 16 of 2024
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former legislative scheme means the
provisions of this Act and the
Rules of Racing, as in force
before the greyhound racing
closure date;
greyhound means a greyhound dog
bred for the purposes of racing;
greyhound race means a race between
greyhound dogs in pursuit of a
mechanical or electronic lure;
greyhound racing closure date means
1 July 2029;
new legislative scheme means the
provisions of this Act and the
Rules of Racing, as in force on
and after the greyhound racing
closure date;
owner, in relation to a greyhound,
includes any person entitled to
possession of it;
registered greyhound means a
greyhound that –
(a) is registered by Tasracing
under the Rules of
Racing; or
(b) was registered by
Tasracing under the
former legislative scheme
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immediately before the
greyhound racing closure
date; or
(c) is born to a greyhound
referred to in paragraphs
(a) or (b);
transfer, in relation to a greyhound,
means transfer ownership of the
property in the greyhound by any
means, including by sale, gift or
surrender;
transition period includes –
(a) the period commencing
on the commencement
day and ending
immediately before the
greyhound racing closure
date; and
(b) such other period on or
after the greyhound racing
closure date as may be
prescribed for the
purposes of this
definition;
veterinary surgeon means a person
registered as a veterinary surgeon
pursuant to Part IV of the
Veterinary Surgeons Act 1987.
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2. Exercise of powers during transition period
(1) In this clause –
specified premises means any land,
premises or vehicle at or on
which greyhounds are kept,
trialled, transported, trained or
raced.
(2) In conducting, during the transition
period, an investigation under Division 3
of Part 2, in relation to the keeping, care,
management or use of greyhounds, the
Commissioner may, in addition to any
other powers conferred by this Act, issue
a person with a notice directing the
person to allow the Commissioner, or
any person assisting the Commissioner,
to enter, search and inspect specified
premises.
(3) If a notice is issued under subclause (2)
in respect of specified premises, the
Commissioner or any person assisting the
Commissioner may, at any reasonable
time –
(a) search and inspect the specified
premises; and
(b) inspect, take copies of or seize
any records, documents or other
matter kept at the specified
premises; and
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(c) take such photographs, film or
audio or visual recordings at the
specified premises as the
Commissioner or person assisting
the Commissioner considers
necessary.
(4) A person must not, without reasonable
excuse, fail to comply with a notice
issued to the person under subclause (2).
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 50 penalty
units.
3. Greyhound racing closure plan
(1) The Commissioner is to prepare and
submit to the Minister a draft plan for the
closure of greyhound racing as soon as
practicable after the commencement day.
(2) The Minister may –
(a) approve the draft closure plan as
submitted under subclause (1); or
(b) require the Commissioner to
amend the draft closure plan
submitted under subclause (1).
(3) The Commissioner, as soon as
practicable after being required to do so
under subclause (2)(b), is to submit to the
Minister under subclause (1) the draft
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closure plan as amended in accordance
with the requirement.
(4) For the avoidance of doubt, the
Minister’s power under subclause (2)(b)
may be exercised more than once in
respect of the draft closure plan.
(5) If the closure plan has been approved by
the Minister under subclause (2)(a), the
Commissioner is to, in performing and
exercising the Commissioner’s functions
and powers under this Act, implement
the closure plan.
(6) The Commissioner is to ensure that the
closure plan approved by the Minister
under subclause (2)(a) is available for
public inspection during the transition
period on a website maintained by or on
behalf of the Commissioner.
4. Transfer of greyhounds
(1) In this clause –
external greyhound racing body
means a body in another State or
a Territory that performs
functions in relation to the
administration and control of
greyhound racing;
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greyhound adoption program means a
greyhound adoption program that
is approved by Tasracing.
(2) During the transition period, the owner of
a registered greyhound must not transfer,
or purport to transfer, ownership of the
greyhound unless –
(a) in the case of a transfer, or
purported transfer, to any of the
following persons, the owner has
first notified Tasracing of the
proposed transfer:
(i) a person registered or
licensed as a greyhound
owner under the Rules of
Racing;
(ii) a person authorised to
own greyhounds by an
external greyhound racing
body;
(iii) a person or organisation
that manages a greyhound
adoption program; or
(b) in the case of a transfer or
purported transfer, to a person
other than a person referred to in
paragraph (a)(i), (ii) or (iii), the
owner has obtained the written
consent of Tasracing.
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Penalty: Fine not exceeding 50 penalty
units.
5. Retirement of greyhounds
(1) The owner of a registered greyhound
must, within 30 days after the occurrence
of any of the following events, notify
Tasracing of that occurrence:
(a) the greyhound has not raced for a
continuous period of 12 months;
(b) the greyhound attains the age of 6
years.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 50 penalty
units.
(2) Subject to subclause (3), a greyhound in
respect of which a notification has been
received under subclause (1) –
(a) is taken not to be registered under
the Rules of Racing; and
(b) may not be reregistered under the
Rules of Racing.
(3) A greyhound that has not raced for a
continuous period of 12 months may be
reregistered under the Rules of Racing
if –
(a) the greyhound did not race due to
an injury; and
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(b) a veterinary surgeon is satisfied
that the greyhound has recovered
adequately from the injury.
6. Use of interstate and overseas greyhounds
(1) In this clause –
interstate greyhound means a
greyhound that –
(a) is ordinarily kept in another State
or a Territory or outside
Australia; and
(b) is not registered under the Rules
of Racing.
(2) The owner of an interstate greyhound
must not allow the greyhound to
participate in a greyhound race in
Tasmania without the written consent of
Tasracing.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 50 penalty
units.
(3) A person who holds a greyhound race
must not permit an interstate greyhound
to participate in that race in Tasmania
unless the person is satisfied that
Tasracing has consented to that
participation under subclause (2).
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 50 penalty
units.
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(4) Tasracing must not consent to the
participation of an interstate greyhound
in a race under subclause (2) unless
Tasracing is satisfied that –
(a) adequate arrangements have been
made to ensure the health and
welfare of the greyhound whilst
the greyhound is in Tasmania;
and
(b) the giving of the consent is
consistent with any requirements
specified in the plan approved by
the Minister under clause 3(2)(a).
7. Destruction of greyhounds
(1) Subject to subclause (2), the owner of a
registered greyhound must not, during
the transition period, cause or allow the
greyhound to be destroyed without first
obtaining the written consent of
Tasracing.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 100 penalty
units.
(2) Subclause (1) does not apply to the
owner of a registered greyhound if –
(a) the greyhound is destroyed by a
veterinary surgeon in an
emergency, to relieve the