HON ALISON XAMON (North Metropolitan) [5.34 pm]: I want to make some comments about my concerns relating to the greyhound racing industry, particularly in relation to answers to questions that I asked in Parliament this week. People would know that I have a strong position, as do the Greens, against the barbaric greyhound racing industry. I am looking forward to the day that it is finally banned.
Tonight I specifically want to draw attention to the use of performance-enhancing drugs in greyhound racing, which is clearly a thing. As I said, during questions without notice on Tuesday, I asked whether racing officials are compelled to notify police when they find that a greyhound has tested positive for an illicit substance at a race meet. Frankly, I was staggered by the answer and to learn that the detection of a prohibited substance in a racing animal is not considered a criminal offence and, therefore, officials are not compelled to report the detection of illegal substances to the police. We know that at least one dog has tested positive to amphetamines after winning a race in Western Australia this year. A media release put out by Racing and Wagering Western Australia on 27 August advised that amphetamines had been detected in a sample that was taken from the dog on 23 April this year. The analysis by an independent lab service provider confirmed the presence of amphetamines in that sample. The media release stated that an inquiry into the matter would commence on 9 September. It seems that the inquiry is ongoing because the results have not yet been published. I am keen to see them.
The racing and wagering inquiry process clearly takes a very long time. A confirmed sample of amphetamine or any illegal substance should be sufficient enough to immediately trigger notifying the police. It should then be up to the police to assess whether to investigate the matter. Clearly, there are at least a couple of key reasons. I would think that a greyhound testing positive to an illegal substance in and of itself should be sufficient reason to trigger a referral to the police. Obviously, there are animal welfare concerns; dogs being drugged is not a good thing. We should also be concerned about procuring an illegal substance in order to gain an unfair advantage.
I have previously spoken at length about how greyhound racing is fundamentally a cruel industry. It is; it is awful. We know that greyhounds are routinely euthanased as a result of horrendous injuries that are incurred while racing, and each year around 800 greyhounds are being discarded by the industry. Unfortunately, the industry relies on overbreeding greyhounds in order to continue racing. The drugging of dogs is yet another clearly unacceptably cruel act. I think it is an example of people who are involved in that industry doing all they can to ensure that their dogs win at all costs; they show scant regard for the welfare of their animals. People need to be held fully accountable for this practice.
In the meantime, I note that individuals caught in the cycle of genuine drug addiction find themselves feeling the full brunt of the law. They are not shown the same sort of leniency. Why should people who are associated with the greyhound industry be treated any differently? It is really vital that Racing and Wagering WA reform its processes. I think that it needs to send a very clear message that drugging will not be tolerated by using all the avenues available to it to deter this outrageous practice. If it is finding illicit substances in its dogs, referral to the police should absolutely be an automatic step.