Greyhound ban bill won't go to vote until 'we know it will pass', Rockliff says

Tasmania's greyhound racing ban won't go to upper house vote until success assured, premier says Mon 1 Jun 2026 at 2:58pm In short: Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has told a parliamentary hearing that a bill to end the greyhound industry will not go ahead until the government "know it will pass". Mr Rockliff has also announced a support scheme for participants, allowing them to access support and compensation if they voluntarily exit the industry. What's next? The government says it will undertake consultation with stakeholders to ensure the scheme "meets the needs of participants". Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has told a budget estimates hearing that the bill to end the state's greyhound industry will not return to the upper house until a successful vote is guaranteed. Government MP Marcus Vermey used the hearing to ask the premier to outline the government's plan for phasing out the industry. Mr Rockliff told the committee the best way to phase out the industry is through the legislation that passed the state's lower house of parliament in December. The bill still needs to pass through the Legislative Council, known as the upper house. "We want this achieved in an ordinary fashion and transition with strong animal welfare protections and certainty and compensation for participants," Mr Rockliff said. "It is disappointing that we do not have the certainty that the legislation will pass the Legislative Council. "We will not progress the bill until we know it will pass." Mr Rockliff said the government would work with those in the upper house to "address their concerns", calling on Labor to change its opposition to a ban on the sport. "It's very disappointing that Labor continue to block the ban, but we are committed to assisting participants and maximising animal welfare," the premier said. The Legislative Council is currently composed of two Labor members, nine independents, three Liberals and one Tasmanian Greens member. Debate yet to resume in upper house Plans to phase out the greyhound industry by 2029 were announced following last year's snap election, as the government sought the support of a mostly progressive crossbench to stay in power. The Legislative Council started debating the bill in April, but the government pulled it when it appeared not to have enough support to pass. Mr Rockliff then requested a parliamentary committee to conduct a second inquiry, to examine concerns raised by upper house members. The request was rejected last month, with the committee stating the concerns need to be addressed by the government. Government announces support scheme for industry Mr Rockliff also used his budget estimates answer to announce a support scheme for racing participants, designed to be a step towards the phase-out whilst the government waits for legislative success. "This scheme will be designed to provide certainty and will ensure that those who wish to exit the industry can do so in a way that assists their transition and protects animal welfare," Mr Rockliff told the committee. "This is an interim step as we work through the passage of the Greyhound Racing Legislation Amendments Phasing Out Reform Bill." Racing Minister Jane Howlett said the scheme would allow participants to "access tailored support", including compensation. "The scheme will be developed in consultation with stakeholders over the coming weeks to ensure it meets the needs of participants and supports the best outcomes for greyhounds," she said. Ms Howlett said the scheme will operate alongside the work of the Joint Standing Committee on Greyhound Racing Transition. Both Ms Howlett and Mr Rockliff stressed that without legislative change, there is "no long-term certainty" for the greyhound racing industry, or a mechanism for "broader compensation". Mr Rockliff has previously said that Tasracing's funding for the greyhound industry will run out in 2029, regardless of whether a ban is legislated. Greyhounds Tasmania has been contacted for comment. RSPCA Tasmania welcomes scheme RSPCA Tasmania has welcomed the announcement, describing the support scheme as a "proportionate, animal welfare-focused approach to the phase-out". Head of RSPCA Tasmania Andrea Dawkins said the scheme was the "right framework". "Minister Howlett has made a considered decision to support industry participants through this new support scheme while keeping animal welfare — and the Tasmanian taxpayer — front of mind," she said. Ms Dawkins said the organisation noted the voluntary nature of the scheme. "Participation in greyhound racing is a commercial choice, not a public utility, and support schemes in comparable transitions internationally have been structured as a fair and dignified exit pathway — not as a reward for resistance to reform," she said.