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2017
THE LEGISLATIVE
ASSEMBLY FOR THE
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL
TERRITORY
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
(RACING GREYHOUNDS) AMENDMENT BILL 2017
EXPLANATORY
STATEMENT
Presented by
Meeghan Fitzharris
MLA
Minister for Transport and City Services
DOMESTIC ANIMALS (RACING GREYHOUNDS) AMENDMENT BILL 2017
INTRODUCTION
This explanatory statement relates to the Domestic
Animals (Racing Greyhounds) Amendment Bill 2017 (the Amendment Bill) as
presented to the ACT Legislative Assembly. It has been prepared in order to
assist the reader of the Amendment Bill and to help inform debate on it. It does
not form part of the Amendment Bill and has not been endorsed by the Assembly.
The Statement must be read in conjunction with the Amendment Bill. It is not,
and is not meant to be, a comprehensive description of the Amendment Bill. What
is said about a provision is not to be taken as an authoritative guide to the
meaning of a provision, this being a task for the courts.
The Amendment
Bill will give effect to the ACT Government’s decision to transition to
end greyhound racing in the ACT by 30 June 2018, and must be read in conjunction
with the Racing (Greyhounds) Amendment Bill 2017.
Together, the two
Amendment Bills provide for:
• greyhound racing and trialling in the
ACT to cease with effect from 30 April 2018;
• removal of provisions
relating to a controlling body for greyhound racing in the
ACT;
• amendments to the definition of ‘race’ so that it no
longer includes greyhound racing in the ACT; and
• the ownership,
breeding and training of greyhounds in the ACT for racing outside the ACT to
continue on the basis that it:
o is at no cost to the ACT community;
and
o complies with strict animal welfare standards.
The
Domestic Animals Act 2000 and the Domestic Animals Regulation 2001
currently regulate the identification and registration of domestic animals and
the duties of owners, carers and keepers.
The Animal Welfare Act
1992 promotes animal welfare. The objects of the Act are to: promote the
welfare, safety and health of animals; ensure the proper and humane care and
management of animals; and reflect the community’s expectation that people
who keep or care for animals will ensure they are properly treated.
The
Magistrates Court (Domestic Animals Infringement Notices) Regulation 2005
is made under the Magistrates Court Act 1930 and provides for
infringement notices for certain offences against the domestic animals
legislation.
BACKGROUND
Animal welfare issues in relation
to the greyhound racing industry were highlighted in an episode of Four
Corners on the ABC on 16 February 2015, which exposed the practice of live
baiting by some involved in the industry. Following the Four Corners
program, an extensive inquiry into greyhound racing was established by the New
South Wales Government under the Special Commissions of Inquiry Act 1983.
The Inquiry was headed by the Honourable Michael McHugh AC QC. The Special
Commission’s report was an extensive and thorough analysis of the
greyhound racing industry in NSW. It was conducted over a period of 16 months,
with a dedicated team of staff, legal expertise, and wide powers to interview
witnesses under oath and to compel the production of documents.
The
report Special Commission of Inquiry into the Greyhound Racing Industry in
New South Wales (the McHugh Report) was published on 16 June 2016.
It identified an extensive range of serious animal welfare issues including
that:
“... the greyhound industry has been exposed as an industry
that:
a) has implicitly condoned, as well as caused, the unnecessary deaths
of tens of thousands of healthy greyhounds;
b) has failed to demonstrate that
in future it will be able to reduce the deaths of healthy greyhounds to levels
the community could tolerate;
c) has engaged in the barbaric practice of live
baiting; and
d) has caused and will continue to cause injuries to greyhounds
that range from minor to catastrophic...”
The McHugh Report
identified a litany of concerns for such practices as:
• live baiting
(using live animals for training greyhounds; for example, by tying them to a
mechanical lure while greyhounds are released to pursue and catch
them);
• live blooding (feeding live animals to greyhounds to
prime them prior to racing and coursing meetings);
• wastage (mass
slaughter of young and older greyhounds bred for the purpose of greyhound
racing, which are subsequently destroyed either prior to being named or raced,
or on retirement from racing);
• injury, death and euthanasia;
and
• rehoming (McHugh noted a poor record in NSW of finding
alternative homes for greyhounds at the end of their racing careers or when they
are otherwise unable to race).
The decision to end greyhound racing in
the ACT is based on the significant welfare concerns associated with the
greyhound industry, as disclosed in the McHugh Inquiry.
As part of the
Parliamentary Agreement, the ACT Government committed to end Government funding
for greyhound racing and to take active steps to transition to end the operation
of the industry in the ACT.
On 7 February 2017, the 2016-17 Budget Review
was published, stating that:
“The Government will cease grant funding
for the greyhound industry in the ACT, effective from the expiry of the current
Memorandum of Understanding on 30 June 2017. The grant funding of $1.033 million
in 2017-18 will be redirected to a transition program to assist workers to
re-skill, as well as rehome and care for the greyhounds”.
To assist
with the transition to end the greyhound racing industry in the ACT, an
independent consultant, Ms Mary Durkin, was engaged to provide an analysis of
options to support the transition. Ms Durkin consulted with the greyhound racing
industry, as well as the animal welfare sector, and provided the
Attorney-General with her report Greyhound Racing Industry Transition Options
Analysis (the Durkin Report) on 15 May 2017.
The Durkin Report found
that the ACT greyhound racing industry is small. The analysis identified that
there are 70 Canberra residents who are active participants (i.e. owners,
breeders and trainers) in greyhound racing in the ACT, with approximately 52
racing greyhounds owned by ACT residents and based in the ACT. NSW owners and
trainers represent a significant majority of participants in greyhound racing in
the ACT. In 2016 approximately 71 dogs that raced were based in the ACT, while
1107 were from NSW.
The Durkin Report also found that the industry in the
ACT is part of a broader regional network of greyhound racing activities and
that it is impossible to divorce the ACT greyhound racing industry from the NSW
industry, as they are inextricably linked. There can be no certainty that dogs
being brought to the ACT from other jurisdictions to race have not come from
breeders and trainers engaging in practices highlighted by the McHugh
Inquiry.
The Greyhound Industry Transition Taskforce has been established
in the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate to assist
the people and animals involved in the industry to transition out of it. Not all
people involved in the industry in the ACT will transition out of it –
some may continue to breed and train racing greyhounds in the ACT. However, this
will be on the basis of strict animal welfare controls and at no cost to the
community.
The Amendment Bill, in conjunction with the Racing
(Greyhounds) Amendment Bill 2017, gives effect to the Government’s
decision to end greyhound racing in the ACT.
OVERVIEW OF THE
AMENDMENT BILL
The Amendment Bill adds a new division to the
Domestic Animals Act 2000 that outlines the obligations attaching to
those who own or have day to day control of greyhounds that are involved, or are
intended to be involved, in greyhound racing other than in the ACT.
All
greyhounds remain subject to the existing requirements in the Domestic Animals
Act for the registration of dogs generally in the ACT. An owner of a
greyhound that is to be used for racing will be required to apply for racing
greyhound registration for that dog from the age of six months. Owners of pet or
rescue greyhounds that will not be involved in racing, training or breeding will
be required to make a declaration to this effect by the time the dog is six
months old to avoid liability for additional registration
requirements.
People who have control of racing greyhounds (for training,
handling or rearing purposes) will be required to obtain a racing greyhound
controller licence. Racing greyhound controllers will be subject to the
obligations in a new mandatory code of practice made under the Animal Welfare
Act 1992.
If a person has received assistance from the Territory to
exit the industry, they will not be eligible to register a greyhound or apply
for a racing greyhound controller licence for the period agreed in writing as
part of the conditions attached to the provision of transition
support.
Racing greyhounds are no longer automatically exempt from
de-sexing requirements. The process for obtaining a permit to keep a sexually
entire greyhound for the purposes of racing will be part of obtaining a racing
greyhound registration.
The breeding of greyhounds for racing in other
jurisdictions is specifically prohibited unless a breeding licence is held. In
order to track the welfare of very young greyhounds, breeders will be required
to notify the Registrar of Domestic Animal Services the details of any litters
within seven days of their birth.
There is an increased cost associated
with enhanced monitoring of those who choose to continue to own, breed and train
racing greyhounds for racing in other jurisdictions. The Government has been
clear that the cost for implementing the necessary monitoring and regulation
will not be subsidised by the broader Canberra community. The cost of
registering a racing greyhound and obtaining a racing greyhound controller
licence will reflect this decision.
In addition to the Domestic Animals
Act, three laws will be amended by the Amendment Bill.
• The
Domestic Animals Regulation 2001 will be amended to include the
additional information that will be required for racing greyhound registrations,
and the information that will be provided on certificates of
registration.
• The Animal Welfare Act 1992 will be amended to
make it an offence to conduct, or facilitate the conduct of, a greyhound race in
the Act. It will also be an offence for a person to allow a greyhound that they
keep to take part in a greyhound race in the ACT.
• The Animal Welfare
Act will also be amended to make it an offence to allow a female greyhound to
breed in a way that contravenes a breeding standard (the standard addresses
matters such as breeding ages and the number and frequency of litters).
The Magistrates Court (Domestic Animals Infringement Notices)
Regulation 2005 will be amended to include new offences for those failing to
hold the necessary licence or registration for racing greyhounds.
Human rights implications
During the Amendment Bill’s
development due regard was given to its compatibility with human rights as set
out in the Human Rights Act 2004. The measures introduced in the
Amendment Bill implement the Government’s decision to end greyhound racing
in the ACT, in light of the animal welfare impacts of the industry.
As a
law of the Territory, the Amendment Bill may be seen as engaging the following
rights in the Human Rights Act:
• recognition and equality before the
law, section 8;
• privacy and reputation, section 12;
and
• rights in criminal proceedings – presumption of innocence
until proven guilty, subsection 22(1).
An assessment of the Bill against
section 28 of the Human Rights Act is provided below.
A Compatibility
Statement under the Human Rights Act has been issued by the
Attorney-General.
Section 28 Human Rights Act
assessment
Section 28 of the Human Rights Act (HRA) provides that human
rights are subject only to reasonable limits set by laws that can be
demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. Section 28(2) of
the HRA provides that, in deciding whether a limit on a human right is
reasonable, all relevant factors must be considered, including:
a) the nature
of the right affected;
b) the importance of the purpose of the
limitation;
c) the nature and extent of the limitation;
d) the
relationship between the limitation and its purpose; and
e) any less
restrictive means reasonably available to achieve the purpose the limitation
seeks to achieve.
Interference with employment or livelihood
The two Amendment Bills together establish a framework that: removes the
legal framework for the administration and control of greyhound racing in the
ACT; proscribes greyhound racing and trialling in the Territory; and introduces
measures to monitor and protect the welfare of greyhounds that continue to race
elsewhere.
As identified in the Durkin Report, these changes will affect
the livelihood and/or employment of a small number of people in the ACT.
The Amendment Bills do not interfere with the ability of ACT residents
to engage in, or bet on, greyhound racing interstate. They also preserve the
ability for ACT residents to own, train or breed greyhounds for racing
elsewhere.
The nature of the rights affected
There is no
express right to employment or livelihood in the HRA, but two rights may be
engaged by these provisions.
Section 12 of the HRA sets out the right to
privacy, which relevantly provides that everyone has the right ‘not to
have his or her privacy, family, home or correspondence interfered with
unlawfully or arbitrarily’. The concept of ‘privacy’ is
elastic and may conceivably extend to a right to be left alone to pursue a
livelihood of choice. Any arbitrary interference with a chosen livelihood may
conceivably then fall within the scope of the right to privacy.
In order
to engage the right to privacy, there must first be a reasonable expectation of
privacy. The nature of greyhound racing means that it is less likely to attract
this kind of protection. The conduct of greyhound racing, and the livelihoods
that are connected to racing, involve public acts in public spaces. Greyhound
racing is also already heavily regulated by legislation, which limits the
expectation of privacy that may be relied on by participants.
Section 8
of the HRA also protects the right to recognition and equality before the law,
and relevantly provides that everyone has the right to “enjoy his or her
human rights without distinction or discrimination of any kind”. The
example in section 8 refers to protection against discrimination on a range of
grounds, including ‘other status’.
Among other things, the
Discrimination Act 1991 includes protection from discrimination on the
ground of ‘profession, trade, occupation or calling’. The measures
necessary to end greyhound racing and trialling in the ACT and to implement a
robust monitoring regime may engage the right to equality for those who make a
livelihood from greyhound racing.
The importance of the purpose of the
limitation
As outlined above, the Amendment Bills address the significant
welfare concerns associated with the greyhound racing industry in other
jurisdictions, together with the finding in the Durkin Report that the links
between racing in the Territory and in other jurisdictions are
inextricable.
The cessation of greyhound racing in the Territory will
ensure that greyhounds from other jurisdictions, whose animal welfare
arrangements are outside the control of the ACT, will not be brought here to
race. For those greyhounds that are based in the ACT and will continue to race
elsewhere, these amendments provide for specialist regulation and control that
will enable an appropriate level of protection for those dogs.
The
nature and extent of the limitation
As outlined above, the limitation on
those seeking to make a livelihood from greyhound racing in the ACT is
threefold. Together, the Amendment Bills will remove the legal and
administrative basis for greyhound racing; proscribe greyhound racing and
trialling; and place controls on those who will continue to own, breed or train
racing greyhounds in the Territory.
The relationship between the
limitation and its purpose
The decision to cease greyhound racing and
trialling in the Territory was made based on the evidence of animal welfare
concerns in other jurisdictions, in a context where the local industry is
inextricably linked to interstate racing (for the most part, NSW) and where the
ACT has no control over the way in which greyhounds are regulated in other
jurisdictions.
The Amendment Bills remove the legal and administrative
basis for greyhound racing in the Territory, which is necessary to prohibit
further racing activities.
As the legislation continues to provide for
ACT residents to own, breed and train racing greyhounds, it is necessary to
implement a robust monitoring regime that will meet the purpose of ensuring high
animal welfare standards for the industry. The efficacy of this regime will be
considered by the government after a period of two years, to determine whether
any further reforms are warranted.
As a result of the need to track and
monitor the welfare of those greyhounds involved (or intended to be involved) in
racing, there will be additional costs for those who decide to continue
participating in greyhound racing in other jurisdictions. Greyhound racing is a
commercial activity, and it is the animal welfare concerns associated with this
activity that have driven these reforms. It is not appropriate for the broader
ACT community to bear the costs associated with regulating and monitoring the
care of racing greyhounds. Accordingly, there will be new costs associated with
registering a racing greyhound, and maintaining a licence to keep or train a
racing greyhound.
Less restrictive means reasonably available to
achieve the purpose
These Amendment Bills represent the least restrictive
manner in which to achieve the purpose of protecting the welfare of racing
greyhounds in the ACT. As noted above, the inability to appropriately control
the welfare management of greyhounds in other jurisdictions requires an end to
racing that necessarily involves a vast majority of greyhounds from interstate.
Given evidence about the numbers of local greyhounds involved in Canberra race
meetings, it is not viable to entertain a greyhound racing industry that is
limited to ACT based dogs.
While terminating the opportunity of any
entity to race or train greyhounds in the ACT will impact on individual owners
and trainers, many of them currently do, and will continue to be able to, work
in the industry in various locations in NSW.
Strict liability
offences
The Amendment Bill introduces strict liability offences for:
• having day to day control of a racing greyhound without holding a
racing greyhound licence;
• having day to day control of a racing
greyhound and failing to comply with a condition of the racing greyhound
licence; and
• failing to report details of a litter of greyhounds
within seven days.
The nature of the right being limited
The
incorporation of strict liability elements has been carefully considered during
the Amendment Bill’s development. Strict liability offences arise in a
regulatory context where reasons such as animal welfare and the public interest
in ensuring that regulatory schemes are observed require the sanction of
criminal penalties. In particular, where a defendant can reasonably be expected,
because of his or her professional involvement, to know what the requirements of
the law are, the mental, or fault, element can justifiably be excluded.
The importance of the purpose of the limitation
The rationale
for inclusion of strict liability offences is to ensure that a sufficiently
robust monitoring regime can operate efficiently to meet the purpose of ensuring
high animal welfare standards for the industry.
As outlined above, the
legislation continues to provide for ACT residents to own, breed and train
racing greyhounds. The animal welfare concerns associated with the commercial
activity of greyhound racing have driven these reforms.
The nature
and extent of the limitation
The offences that are imposed are
infringement offences and are designed to enable a quick and effective response
where parties have failed to meet obligations. This framework is designed to
encourage compliance, not to disproportionately penalise those who fail to
comply.
The relationship between the limitation and its
purpose
The overriding rationale for the strict liability offences is to
protect the welfare of greyhounds which are, or are intended to be, connected
with the greyhound racing industry. This is a commercial industry that has
previously been connected to established animal welfare concerns in other
jurisdictions; and, as the ACT is inseparably linked to racing in the NSW
region, it is important to provide capacity for efficiently enforcing the
regulatory mechanisms that encourage adherence with animal welfare
requirements.
The offences included have been assessed against current
community standards and norms, and are an important element in ensuring the
policy intent of regulating to ensure that animal welfare standards particular
to racing greyhounds are met.
Less restrictive means reasonably
available to achieve the purpose
In developing the legislation an
assessment was made as to whether any less restrictive means were available to
achieve the purpose of the Amendment Bill. There is no less restrictive means
available for the strict liability offences as these offences are limited to
those key aspects that are required to achieve the government’s intent of
tracking the ownership, control and treatment of racing greyhounds.
Due
regard has been given to the Guide for Framing Offences and the
maximum penalty units applied for the strict liability offences (10 penalty
units). Furthermore, the Criminal Code defences are still available to a person
charged under these offence provisions, particularly the mistake of fact defence
(Criminal Code 2002 section 36 and section 53) and the defence of
intervening conduct or event (Criminal Code section 39, noting section
54).
While due consideration has been given to the framing of offences in
the Bill and the impact on human rights, it should be noted that the new strict
liability offences introduced by the Amendment Bill all apply to those involved
in breeding, owning and training racing greyhounds.
In order to ensure
that those people in the ACT who continue to engage, or who begin to engage, in
breeding or training of racing greyhounds are aware of their obligations under
this regulatory framework, the government will undertake a proactive and
targeted awareness raising campaign with stakeholder groups. It is therefore
reasonable to expect these parties will know, or ought to know, their legal
obligations.
CLAUSE NOTES
PART 1 PRELIMINARY
Clause 1 Name of Act
This
clause is a formal provision setting out the name of the Act as the Domestic
Animals (Racing Greyhounds) Amendment Act 2017 (the Amendment
Act).
Clause 2 Commencement
This clause provides that the
Amendment Act will commence on 30 April 2018.
Clause 3 Legislation
amended
This clause identifies that the Domestic Animals Act 2000
(the Domestic Animals Act) and the Domestic Animals Regulation 2001
will be amended. In addition, schedule 1 of the Amendment Act includes
amendments to the Animal Welfare Act 1992 and the Magistrates Court
(Domestic Animals Infringement Notices) Regulation 2005.
PART 2 DOMESTIC ANIMALS ACT 2000
Clause 4 Offences
against the Act – other legislation applies
New dot points in s
4(a) note 1
Clause 4 adds five new dot points to note 1 in s 4(a) of the
Domestic Animals Act 2000. These are the new offences against the Act to
which the Criminal Code will apply, and they are derived from the
additional monitoring and regulation required for those who continue to breed,
own or train greyhounds for racing elsewhere.
Clause 5 Registration
applications
Section 6 (1)
Clause 5 substitutes the term
‘owner’ for ‘keeper’ in the section of the Domestic
Animals Act that outlines the requirements for registration applications.
Recognising that in the case of racing greyhounds it may be that the person who
has day-to-day control of the dog is different to the person or persons who own
it, this amends the existing registration obligation to clarify that an owner of
a dog is responsible for applying to register the dog.
Clause 6 New
note with regard to registration applications
Section 6(1)
Clause 6 adds a note to the section of the Domestic Animals Act that
outlines the requirements for registration applications. The note reflects that
a greyhound which is, or is intended to be, involved in racing elsewhere than
the ACT is required to be registered both as a dog under the general
registration provisions and additionally as a ‘racing greyhound’
under Division 2.4A of the Domestic Animals Act.
Clause 7 Registration
numbers, certificates and tags
Section 11
Clause 7 clarifies
that, on registering a dog, the Registrar must provide proof of that
registration to the owner of the dog. This recognises particular circumstances
of racing greyhounds, where it may be that the person who keeps the dog is
different to the person or persons who own it.
Clause 8 Change of
keeper
Section 12(1)
As above, clause 8 clarifies that the
obligation in section 12 is to keep the Registrar appraised of a change of dog
ownership, and this is achieved by inserting the word ‘registered’
before ‘keeper’, in recognition of the circumstances of those racing
greyhounds that are kept by persons other than their registered owner (or owners
in the case of a syndicate).
Clause 9 Change of
keeper
Section 12(2)
Clause 9 substitutes a slightly amended
section 12(2) that clarifies responsibilities with respect to notifying the
Registrar that ownership of a dog has changed.
Clause 10 Registration
– cancellation
Section 13(1)
Clause 10 makes a minor
amendment to existing section 13(1) by replacing ‘him or her’ with
‘the person’.
Clause 11 Unregistered
dogs
Section 14(3)
The Domestic Animals Act imposes penalties
for keeping a dog that is unregistered, or a dog for which a person is not the
registered owner. There are some existing exceptions to this, and clause 11
extends the existing exception in section 14(3) to ensure that people who are
working to train, breed or otherwise care for racing greyhounds owned (and
registered) by others will not be committing an offence, as long as they hold a
racing greyhound controller licence.
Clause 12 Tag
offences
Sections 15(1) and 15(2)
The
Domestic Animals Act makes it an offence for a person to be in control of a dog
that is not wearing its registration tags – either on private premises not
owned by the keeper or carer, or in a public place. Clause 12 makes a slight
amendment to clarify that these offences attach to the registered keeper,
who is the owner of the dog, as well as any temporary carers.
Clause
13 Tag offences
Section 15(3)
Clause 13 provides similar
clarification to clause 12 above, inserting the word
‘registered’ before ‘keeper’ to make it
clear that the relevant obligation attaches to the registered owner of a
dog.
Clause 14 Tag offences
Section 15(4)
Clause 14
replaces the phrase ‘dog’s keeper’ in section 15(4)
with the phrase ‘dog’s registered keeper’ to make it
clear that the relevant obligation attaches to the registered owner of a
dog.
Clause 15 Tag offences
Section 15(5)
Clause 15
provides similar clarification to clauses 12 and 13 above, inserting the word
‘registered’ before ‘keeper’ to make it
clear that the relevant obligation attaches to the registered owner of a
dog.
Clause 16 Requirement to be licensed
New section
18(2)(da)
Clause 16 adds a new exception to the requirement in section 18
of the Domestic Animals Act to be licensed to keep four or more dogs. A person
who holds a ‘racing greyhound controller licence’ will not need to
apply for an additional licence to keep four or more dogs because the
considerations about the ability of the licence holder to cater for the welfare
of a number of dogs will be built into the approval process for the racing
greyhound controller licence.
Clause 17 Division 2.4
heading
Clause 17 amends the heading of Division 2.4 to recognise the
addition of the ‘racing greyhound controller licence’ to the list of
special licences available under the Domestic Animals Act. The heading now
indicates that the division deals with the general provisions applicable to a
range of special licences that may be issued under the Act.
Clause
18 Meaning of special licenses for Division 2.4
Section 29,
definition of special licence
Clause 18 adds the new category
‘racing greyhound controller licence’ to the definition of
what constitutes a special licence for the purposes of the Domestic Animals Act.
Clause 19 Special licences – duration
Section
31(1)
Clause 19 adds the racing greyhound controller licence to
section 31(1) of the Domestic Animals Act, which specifies the duration of a
special licence relating to multiple dogs or racing greyhounds as being twelve
months, if not sooner surrendered or cancelled.
Clause 20 Variation
of special licences
New s33(4)(ba)
Under the Domestic
Animals Act, the Registrar may vary a special licence after an application from
a licence holder, or if the Registrar believes it is in the public interest to
do so. Clause 20 inserts a new section 33(4)(ba) that requires the Registrar to
consider the matters outlined in new section 39I(3) when deciding whether to
vary a licence. These matters include consideration of both the numbers and the
manner in which other dogs are kept, and any previous conviction or disciplinary
action relevant to the suitability of the applicant to hold a racing greyhound
controller licence.
Clause 21 New s33(7A)
Clause 21 creates a
new provision that makes it clear that the Registrar must refuse an application
to vary a racing greyhound controller’s licence if the application
involves a variation that would have been refused if it was made as an original
application, according to the matters to be considered in new section 39I(3), as
discussed above.
Clause 22 Definition of vary
Section
33(10)
Clause 22 ensures that the existing section 33(10) caters for the
variation of racing greyhound controller licences by amending the provision to
include, similarly to other special licences, that a variation includes
substitution of one racing greyhound for another racing
greyhound.
Clause 23 Racing Greyhounds
New Division
2.4A
Clause 23 inserts a new division in the Domestic
Animals Act that outlines the obligations attaching to those who own or have day
to day control of greyhounds that are involved, or are intended to be involved,
in greyhound racing other than in the ACT.
New section 39A Racing
greyhounds
New section 39A defines ‘greyhound racing’ and
‘racing greyhound’, for the purposes of the Act. These definitions
attach a broad meaning to both terms. The definition of ‘greyhound
racing’ extends beyond a formal greyhound race to include greyhound trials
and training races, and racing in a test of speed of one or more racing
greyhounds. A ‘racing greyhound’ includes a greyhound that is
intended to be used for racing.
The scope of these definitions is
intended to provide coverage for the kinds of activities that the government
seeks to regulate and monitor to ensure robust animal welfare protections for
those greyhounds in the Territory who will still be involved in the racing
industry elsewhere.
A note refers to the fact that it is an offence
under section 18A of the Animal Welfare Act to conduct or take part in a
greyhound race.
New section 39B Presumption greyhound is a racing
greyhound
As identified in the McHugh Report, a number of concerns about
the potential mistreatment of racing greyhounds arise in the first few months of
life, such as wastage in litters of puppies, and early training techniques that
impact the ability of retired dogs to be re-homed.
New section 39B
provides that any greyhound that is six months or older is taken to be a racing
greyhound unless the owner of the greyhound declares that it is not, and is not
intended to be used for greyhound racing. This provision is necessary to
distinguish between greyhounds which are part of the racing industry and those
which are pet, rescue or re-homed greyhounds.
There is a period of time
prior to the formal commencement of racing where a greyhound is connected to
racing. Greyhounds which are bred, reared and educated in the months before
formal training will not necessarily be registered with a controlling body in
another jurisdiction, but are not living simply as pets. It is important that
these dogs are able to be tracked and monitored by animal welfare professionals
to ensure that their welfare is protected in this period.
As the
majority of young greyhounds are still connected to racing in ways such as
these, the Registrar will proceed on the basis that a greyhound that is six
months or older is a racing greyhound within the terms of the Act, unless the
owner makes a declaration to the contrary. Making such a declaration is not an
onerous process, but it will be an offence to make a false or misleading
declaration.
New section 39C Racing greyhounds –
registration
Under the Domestic Animals Act, dogs older than 56 days in
the ACT are required to be registered. This kind of general registration is for
the lifespan of the dog, and applies equally to greyhounds as it does to all
other dogs in the ACT.
New section 39C provides for a new registration
category for racing greyhounds. This registration is in addition to the lifetime
registration that is described above. Where a person seeks to keep a racing
greyhound, they can apply for special racing greyhound registration that will
require annual renewal. In considering whether to grant an application of this
kind, the Registrar must refuse to grant the registration if the applicant is
disqualified from keeping an animal or is disqualified or suspended from
participating in greyhound racing – in the ACT or elsewhere.
New
section 39D Offence – unregistered racing greyhound
New section 39D
introduces offences for a person who keeps a racing greyhound that is not
registered as such, or one that the person is not the relevant registered keeper
or licensed racing greyhound controller for. This is to assist in the tracking
of those greyhounds involved in racing, and to ensure that those who have
day-to-day control of racing greyhounds are appropriately licensed, which
imports a series of obligations with respect to animal welfare, including
adherence to the mandatory code of practice for the keeping of racing
greyhounds.
There is an exception in new section 39D(2)b that ensures
those who provide temporary care for a racing greyhound, or who have recently
moved to the ACT, will not commit an offence if they have charge of a racing
greyhound for whom they are not the registered keeper or licensed racing
greyhound for less than 28 days. This provides sufficient time for any person
who will have a longer term relationship with a racing greyhound in the ACT to
obtain the necessary registration or licence.
New section 39E Racing
greyhounds – registration numbers etc
New section 39E clarifies
that the existing requirements for general registration of dogs (the allocation
of and evidence for a registration number) also apply to the registration of
racing greyhounds.
New section 39F Racing greyhounds –
cancellation of registration
New section 39F provides for the situation
where, for a variety of reasons including death, retirement or transfer of a
racing greyhound, the registrar is required to cancel the racing greyhound
registration. In the event that a greyhound is no longer connected to racing,
this relieves the registered owner of the obligation to maintain the annual
racing greyhound registration. If a greyhound who will continue to be involved
in racing is sold or transferred to a new owner, it will be the responsibility
of the new owner to make their own racing greyhound registration application for
that dog.
New section 39G Day-to-day control of racing greyhounds
– requirement to be licensed
New section 39H Racing greyhound
controller licences – applications
New section 39G introduces a
requirement for those who have day-to-day control of a racing greyhound to be
licensed as a racing greyhound controller. This will include a breeder, trainer,
handler, educator or an owner who retains control of their own dogs. The
requirement to be licensed is based on the need for appropriate monitoring of
those parts of a racing greyhound’s life where animal welfare concerns are
most likely to arise.
As outlined above, the licence is an addition to
the existing class of annually renewable special licences in section 29 of the
Act. The general requirements for special licences are outlined in section 30 of
the Act, which specifies that they must state the name of the licensee, the
registration of each dog to which the license relates, the address of the
premises to which the licence relates and any conditions of the licence.
For a racing greyhound licence, new section 39H also requires the
applicant’s address to be provided, and the details of any controlling
body with which the greyhound or greyhounds are registered. Compliance with the
mandatory code of practice for the keeping of racing greyhounds will be a
condition of the licence.
Having day-to day control of a racing
greyhound without this licence will be a strict liability offence. For those
that do hold a licence, it will also be a strict liability offence to fail to
comply with the conditions of that licence. The offences will not apply to those
who are temporarily looking after a racing greyhound, such as a vet or
rescue/re-homing organisation.
New section 39I Racing greyhound
controller licences – approval or refusal
The Registrar will be
required to give written notice of either approval or refusal to the applicant
for a racing greyhound controller licence.
New section 39I requires the
Registrar to be satisfied that the applicant can meet a range of requirements
for the welfare of the greyhounds in their care. The Registrar must also
consider the suitability of the applicant in light of any convictions or
findings of guilt for animal welfare offences, or disciplinary actions taken
against the applicant under gaming laws or with respect to racing or
betting.
New section 39J Racing greyhound controller licences –
conditions
Licensed racing greyhound controllers will be subject to the obligations
outlined in the mandatory code of practice, as a condition of their licence. The
Registrar may also impose other conditions on a licence when it is issued, which
will provide an opportunity to address any matters that require specific
attention. New section 39J outlines the matters the Registrar is required to
consider when deciding whether or not to impose a condition on a racing
greyhound controller licence, and the kinds of conditions that may be specified.
Clause 24 Offence – breeding dogs or cats without
licence
New section 72 (1A) and 1(B)
Existing section 72
makes it an offence to breed a litter from a dog or cat for profit or commercial
gain without holding a breeding licence. This existing offence is a strict
liability offence.
New section 72(1A) introduces an offence with respect
to the breeding of greyhounds, which also attracts strict liability. Any person
who breeds a litter from a greyhound without holding a breeding licence will
commit an offence, unless they are able to demonstrate that the litter was not
bred for the purpose of greyhound racing.
In the context of greyhound
racing, breeding occurs in a variety of settings and may not be demonstrably
connected to profit or gain. Given the importance of the obligations imposed by
a breeder’s licence, it is necessary to make it clear that these licences
are required for any greyhounds bred for the purpose of racing.
Clause 25 Breeding licence – conditions
Section
72E(2)
All breeding licences are currently subject to the condition
that the licensee must comply with a relevant breeding standard determined under
the Animal Welfare Act. This clause inserts an additional condition that the
licensee must also comply with any relevant mandatory code of practice made
under the Animal Welfare Act. This will require breeders to comply with the
elements of the Mandatory Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing
Greyhounds as a condition of their licence. Failure to comply with a
condition of a breeding licence may lead to cancellation of that licence by the
Registrar, under existing section 72G of the Act.
Clause 26 Offence
– reporting on breeding of greyhounds
New section
72M
New section 72M requires a person who breeds a litter of
greyhound puppies to notify the Registrar in writing within seven days of the
details of that litter (including the number of puppies and sex of each puppy
born). This is to assist in the tracking of greyhounds from the earliest stages
of their lives. As outlined above, many of the significant animal welfare
concerns identified in the McHugh Report relate to dogs that are too young to
have begun racing, and taking a robust approach to addressing these issues
requires a higher level of regulation of this early stage.
Requiring
notification of the birth of greyhound puppies will provide a mechanism for
monitoring the numbers of puppies born and tracking the progress of these dogs.
Failure to comply with this notification provision is a strict liability
offence.
Clause 27 Dogs and cats to be de-sexed if over certain
age
New section 74(4)(c)
The Act currently requires dogs
to be de-sexed from six months of age, unless the owner holds a permit to keep
the dog sexually entire. Clause 27 inserts a new sub-section into this section
of the Act that exempts racing greyhounds from this requirement. This means that
the registered keeper of a racing greyhound will not be required to apply for an
additional permit for their dogs, as long as racing greyhound registration is in
place. When a greyhound is no longer connected to racing, an owner will be
subject to the same rules that apply to all dogs generally, and will need to
consider whether to de-sex their greyhound, or apply for a permit to keep it
sexually entire.
Clause 28 Sale of older dogs and cats to be notified
if not de-sexed
New section 74A(3)
As outlined above, the
holder of a racing greyhound registration does not require a special permit to
keep their greyhound not de-sexed. New section 74A(3) will accordingly exempt
racing greyhound registration holders from the existing requirement in section
74A of the Act to notify the Registrar within three working days of sale of the
name and address of the buyer.
Clause 29 Approval or refusal of
applications
Section 76(2)(c)
Clause 29 removes the
previously existing provision in section 76(2)(c) of the Act that required the
Registrar to approve any application to keep a greyhound not de-sexed. This
reflects the change in arrangements where racing greyhound registration will
include an automatic exemption from this requirement, as outlined above.
Clause 30 Cooperation with other jurisdictions – racing
greyhounds
New division 9.3
While the Bills will prohibit
greyhound racing in the ACT, greyhounds that are owned by ACT residents (or that
reside or are trained here) will still be able to race in other jurisdictions.
Clause 30 inserts a new division in the Act that provides for ACT
authorities to share necessary information with gaming, racing or animal welfare
authorities in other jurisdictions. These provisions support both racing
integrity and animal welfare.
Clause 31 Transitional – Domestic
Animals (Racing Greyhounds) Amendment Act 2017 provisions
New Part 12
New section 160 Racing greyhound controller licences –
existing racing greyhound keepers
New section 160 is designed to ensure
that people currently involved in the greyhound racing industry in the ACT will
have sufficient time to comply with the amended regulatory obligations for
racing greyhounds. People living in the ACT, who are currently in day-to-day
control of a greyhound that is based here (and registered with a greyhound
controlling body), will be taken to hold a racing greyhound controlling licence,
which will remain in force for six months after the legislation commences. This
will provide coverage for those people who wish to continue their involvement
with greyhound racing in other jurisdictions to meet the requirements for
obtaining a racing greyhound controller licence.
New section
161 Eligibility of recipients of Territory assistance
As part of the
transition to ending greyhound racing in the ACT, the government has made
transition support available to people who wish to discontinue their involvement
with greyhound racing. Transition support packages will be negotiated to address
the individual needs of each applicant, considering their specific
circumstances. An agreement in writing between the individual and the Territory
will specify any conditions that attach to the provision of transition support.
One of the conditions that may attach to the provision of support is an
undertaking to discontinue involvement in greyhound racing.
New section
161 stipulates that if a person has received assistance from the Territory on
the condition that they exit the industry, they will not be eligible to register
a greyhound or apply for a racing greyhound controller licence for the period
agreed in writing as part of the conditions attached to the provision of
transition support.
New section 162 Transitional
regulations
New section 162 provides that that transitional regulations
may be made by the Executive to ensure that any other matters arising from the
enactment of the Amendment Bill may be addressed. The section includes two
different regulation making powers.
Any regulation made under section 162(1) cannot exceed the operation or purpose of the amended Act.
Section 162(2) enables the making of a regulation that modifies the Domestic
Animals Act. A regulation under this section may only modify Part 12 of the
Domestic Animals Act (including in relation to another Territory law), and only
if the Executive is of the opinion that the part does not adequately or
appropriately deal with a transitional issue. A provision of this kind is an
important mechanism for achieving the proper objectives, managing the effective
operation, and eliminating transitional flaws in the application of the Domestic
Animals Act in unforeseen circumstances by allowing for flexible and responsive
(but limited) modification by regulation. This power appropriately enables the
Executive to deal quickly with any unforeseen transitional issues that arise as
a consequence of provisions within the Amendment Bill.
Section 160(3) gives a
regulation under section 162(2) full effect according to its terms. A provision
of Part 12 of the Domestic Animals Act modified by regulation will operate in
the same way (in relation to another provision of the Act or any other Territory
law) as if it were amended by an Act, and in accordance with established
principles of statutory interpretation. The proposed section does not express or
intend to limit future enactments of the Legislative Assembly; nor does it
restrain the power of the Assembly to make laws. It is understood that this
provision could itself in future be amended or repealed by the Assembly at any
time like other pieces of legislation and that the Assembly could make another
law that overrides this law if necessary.
The capacity to modify an Act
through subordinate legislation is referred to as a
‘Henry VIII’ clause. It is acknowledged that these clauses are
generally not preferable. In developing the Amendment Bill, every attempt has
been made to foresee issues arising in the transition to end the greyhound
racing industry in the ACT. However, this provision is necessary in the
Amendment Bill as there is no practical alternative available to ensure that any
unforeseen matters that might arise during the transition can be addressed
expediently.
As a further limitation on this power to make transitional
regulations, new section 160 expires two years after commencement.
As
noted above, the ACT greyhound racing industry is inextricably linked with the
industry in NSW. NSW is currently undertaking a major reform program within its
greyhound racing industry, with the pending implementation of the NSW Greyhound
Welfare and Integrity Commission. Given the Amendment Bill does not prohibit
breeding or training of dogs that may be raced (many of them in NSW), it is
appropriate that the Government has the power to respond quickly to unforeseen
issues.
New section 163 Expiry – pt 12
New section 163
provides that Part 12 expires five years after it commences. This will allow
sufficient time for any transitional matters associated with the ending of
greyhound racing in the ACT to be addressed. A five-year expiry for this part is
also in line with the potential agreements that the Government may make with
individuals for the provision of transition support to exit the greyhound racing
industry.
Clause 32 Dictionary, new definitions
Clause 32
inserts new definitions for the key terms that are included in the new
provisions of the Domestic Animals Act that relate to racing greyhounds.
Clause 33 Dictionary, definition of special licence
Clause 32
inserts a definition of special licence that encompasses the new racing
greyhound controller licence.
PART 3 DOMESTIC ANIMALS REGULATION 2001
Clause 34 Dog
registration information – Act, s 8
New section 5(f) and
5(g)
Clause 34 inserts two new subsections in existing section 5 of the
Domestic Animals Regulation 2001 that will require certain information to
be recorded on the register about the status of a greyhound when it is
registered under general dog registration provisions.
Clause
35 Information on dog registration certificates – Act
s11(2)
Section 6(e)
Clause 35 is a minor amendment that
inserts the word ‘registered’ before
‘keeper’ in section 6(e) of the Domestic Animals Regulation
to make it clear that the obligation is to supply the name and address of the
registered owner of a dog on the registration certificate.
Clause
36 Information on greyhound registration certificates
New section
6AA
Clause 36 inserts a new section 6AA into the Domestic Animals
Regulation, specifying the information that is required to be included on a
racing greyhound registration certificate.
Clause 37 Reviewable
decisions
Schedule 1, item 8, column 3
Clause 37 makes a
minor amendment to the wording in Schedule 1 of the Domestic Animals Regulation,
by referring to ‘special licences’ rather than specifying each of
the licence types by name.
Clause 38 Schedule 1, new items 9A to
9C
Clause 38 inserts three new reviewable decisions in Schedule 1 of the
Domestic Animals Regulation. An applicant for racing greyhound registration will
be able to seek review of a decision to refuse that registration, as will an
applicant for a greyhound controller licence with respect to a decision to
refuse to issue that licence. An applicant for a greyhound controller licence
that is issued with conditions will also be able to seek review of that
decision.
Clause 39 Dictionary, note 3
The note in the
Dictionary in the Domestic Animals Regulation highlights that certain terms are
defined in the Domestic Animals Act. Clause 39 updates this note to include the
new terms racing greyhound, racing greyhound controller licence, registered
keeper and registered racing greyhound.
SCHEDULE 1 OTHER AMENDMENTS
Part 1.1 Animal Welfare
Act 1992
Item 1.1 New section 15B(7)
Item 1.1 of
schedule 1 adds a new offence to existing section 15B of the Animal Welfare Act,
which relates to intensive breeding of cats or dogs. It will be an offence for a
person in charge of a female greyhound to allow the greyhound to breed in a way
that contravenes a breeding standard.
Unlike other offences in this
section, there is no requirement for the person to have been either reckless as
to whether the breeding contravenes a standard, or to have intended to make
profit or commercial gain. This is because, as outlined above, the specific
animal welfare concerns related to the breeding practices for racing greyhounds
as evidenced in the McHugh Report require a stronger regulatory approach to
compliance.
Item 1.2 New section 18A
Item 1.2 of schedule 1
expressly prohibits greyhound racing by inserting a new section 18A in the
Animal Welfare Act with the introduction of new offences attracting a maximum
penalty of 100 penalty units, imprisonment for one year, or both. These offences
apply to people who conduct, or facilitate the conduct of, a greyhound race in
the ACT, as well as to those who allow a greyhound that they keep to take part
in a race in the ACT.
Greyhound racing is defined broadly to include
trialling or training races, as well as racing in a test of speed of one or more
racing greyhounds.
The maximum penalty for these offences is in line
with existing offences in the Animal Welfare Act. For example, the offence in
existing section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act makes it an offence to conduct or
take part in a rodeo with the same maximum penalty attached.
Part
1.2 Magistrates Court (Domestic Animals Infringement Notices) Regulation 2005
Item 1.3 Schedule 1, part 1.1 table, new items 14A to
14C
Item 2.3 will insert three new items in the table that outlines the
penalty units and the associated infringement penalty costs. The new strict
liability offences that have been added to this table are keeping an
unregistered racing greyhound (new section 39D(1)), having day-to-day control of
a racing greyhound without a greyhound racing controller licence (new section
39G(1)) and failing to comply with a controller licence condition (new section
39G(2)). Each of these offences will attract an infringement penalty of $150.
Item 1.4 Schedule 1, part 1.1 table, items 29 to 32
Item 1.4
amends the table in part 1.1 in schedule 1 to remove three items that are no
longer required because previous amendments to the Domestic Animals Act removed
those offences. This amendment is unrelated to the main business of the Domestic
Animals (Racing Greyhound) Amendment Bill 2017, it simply removes redundant
references in the existing table.