Three months after being hit for six when NSW Premier Mike Baird announced greyhound racing would be banned next year, trainers around the Riverina finally have something to celebrate.
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Baird’s backflip on Tuesday was met with delight from those inside the industry.
Sleepless nights filled with concern over the future of their animals, as well as their livelihoods, are now just a bad nightmare after being given a second chance.
Wagga Greyhound Club president Adam Oliver was thrilled by the decision.
“It is very positive and there will be a lot of trainers in the Riverina who will be able to sleep easier,” Oliver said.
“I couldn’t be more happy.”
Oliver said it was a difficult time not knowing the fate of the industry.
“There was mixed emotions,” he said. “It was up and down every day as you would hear new things.
“Positive things one day then negative things the next day, but it is good to see the government has prevailed and made the right decision.”
Baird admitted he “got it wrong” when initially moving to ban the sport from July and agreed to give “one last chance” after the industry proved its willingness to reform.
Oliver believes the sport had already shown change since evidence of live-baiting was first reported and would continue to do so.
“We have already proved that the industry had been reformed in the 18 months before the ban came out,” he said.“But all the trainers are going to be happy to reform more and do the right thing.”
