Dogs Up The Ante On Greene
Written by: GRNSW 31/07/09
As the thoroughbred powerbrokers descend on an Eastern Suburbs location for their ‘crisis’ meeting this afternoon, Greyhound Racing New South Wales (GRNSW) today launched www.ourfairshare.com.au – a new website informing the public about the major inequalities in the way TAB funds are distributed to the three racing codes.

Speaking to an industry consultative forum in Sydney’s Western suburb of Yagoona, GRNSW Chief Executive Brent Hogan unveiled the website and called on the many members of the greyhound industry, including trainers, breeders, punters and volunteers to express their concerns to the Minister for Gaming and Racing Kevin Greene.

Greyhound racing currently sponsors the two horse racing codes to the tune of $8 million per year.

“www.ourfairshare.com.au informs the public about the major discrepancies in funding that the greyhound racing industry contributes compared to the amount it actually receives,” Hogan said.

“The website provides the public with the forum to voice their concerns and how to contact the Minister, who can secure the future of the sport by implementing the recommendations put forward by the Alan Cameron report.

“The Cameron report provides a clear and decisive reform agenda for the Rees Government to implement and secure the long term future of the racing industry. This will only be done by embracing a culture of promoting and rewarding innovation, growth and performance and allowing the NSW racing and wagering industry to compete on a level playing field with its interstate colleagues.

“Ourfairshare.com.au dispels all the myths out there about the issue. It shows the minister we, as a collective community, will fight for the betterment of our sport until the changes are made.”

Ourfairshare.com.au contains the full Alan Cameron report, all of the latest news about the issue, a snapshot of the national wagering landscape in which NSW lags well behind and which State MP’s electorates our tracks operate in. It will also be regularly updated, with new features to be added.

“We are calling on the public to make their feelings clear to the Government,” Hogan said.

“Wagering on greyhound racing has increased by 10% in the past two years however as a result of the outdated structure we are not rewarded for it.

“It is holding New South Wales back, particularly in regional areas, where under the present arrangements we cannot invest in improving infrastructure, introducing TAB racing and creating additional employment opportunities in those areas.

“On top of the many calls, letters and emails we have received about the issue, this website will show the Minister and the Premier how important it is for these changes to be made.”

The clear cut benefits of implementing the recommendations will also be outlined on the website.

For more information, visit www.ourfairshare.com.au or The Dogs

OUR FAIR SHARE - OUR FAIR SHARE

OUR FAIR SHARE - ONLINE PETITION

Come everybody sign up please

Neal, it is quite extraordinary to look through the list to see the peoples' names missing who one either knows or knows of, including very prominent people.

Hey YUTHAPINABOY, Yeah there alot of prominent trainers sign up but there are a lot of people missing maybe they dont have a computer or just don't care signing it but they should because it will have a big effect on greyhound racing in NSW. cheers Dougie

After I posted my reply, I did then think that there were probably other non-electronic "Ourfairshare" petitions happening out there. In that you have not mentioned them it would seem that you are not aware of such petitions either. To be honest I am generally a bit cynical about the positive effect of petitions but I do feel that this is one case where every avenue has to be pursued. If these people and other greyhound people are so apathetic then the industry has no hope, the powerful in all ways thoroughbred industry will put it all over us. It is my view that they will do anything to put a stop the their industry losing these funds. I was going to give you and example but let's say it could get nasty. However, if the greyhound industry is going to be so apathetic then the thoroughred industry might not have to do much at all.