Hadley Calls For GWIC To Be Abolished

RAY Hadley has implored NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to appoint a minister solely for racing and abolish GWIC on radio Thursday morning.

RAY Hadley has implored NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to appoint a minister solely for racing and abolish the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) on his award-winning radio program on Thursday.

Speaking to Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson, the portfolio with which racing sits, Hadley called for Deputy Premier John Barilaro to take the reins of the racing industry amid accusations of bullying and systematic failures at GWIC.

"With all due respect to you and your capabilities (Mr. Anderson) but don't we need a Minister for racing to look after the three codes – it's a very big portfolio," Hadley said.

Minister Anderson conceded that while his portfolio is vast, he would continue to serve the three-codes of racing while ever charged with the responsibility by his government.

During the interview Mr Anderson acknowledged he was aware of "bad blood" between Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) and GWIC and admitted he's under pressure from animal activists who "across all levels … get their fingers in pies."

"I am aware of the issues with GRNSW and GWIC and the perceived bad blood between the two organisations," Mr Anderson said.

"We need GRNSW and GWIC to break bread and have a good look at where we are and get it right for the future.

"The animal activists and the world we live in now … there are people in different departments across all levels of government who have an agenda. My job is to keep the three codes going."

Minister Anderson said that a statutory review which is currently underway couldn't have come at a more opportune time for the greyhound industry.

"If you've got some beef … now's the time to tell us," the Minister said.

"This is a real opportunity to have a good look at where we are and get it right for the future. To tell us how things can improve and what can be done better."

The Minister added that funding is a significant issue facing the industry.

"GRNSW funds GWIC with $12 million a year and the government kicked the can to bring the total up to $16 million the last two years," Mr Anderson added.

"That's a huge problem for me, that kind of cost for a working class organisation. The question with funding is how do we make it viable and sustainable … how do we trim our cloth to make it more relevant."

Hadley provided the Minister with a brisk answer to the question posed.

"Say goodbye to GWIC," Hadley said.

"Put the stewards back with Greyhound Racing NSW, say goodbye to the Bathurst GWIC.

"Give it to the one statutory body like all the other codes – there you go I've just solved your problem for you, your budget is balanced."

Earlier in the interview, Hadley doubled down on his comments on Wednesday alleging outgoing GWIC chief steward Gail Thorsby was retiring due to claims of bullying.

 

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