Page 2201 - Week 06 - Thursday, 7 June 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MR RAMSAY: I thank Ms Le Couteur for the question. In relation to the second and third parts of the question, I will take those parts on notice. In terms of the eligibility for the scheme, certainly one of the key things is the ACT government has been very clear from day one that the rehoming of greyhounds is an absolute priority as part of the overall work that we have been doing in this area and, as part of the suite of services available to transition support, Woden Community Service has been providing that level of support.
It is important that the transition support is focused on people who have strong connections to the ACT. An ex-racing greyhound must have been owned by an ACT resident or must have been surrendered on or after 23 June. That was the date that the government confirmed its intention to end the industry.
The amount of support that is available for each ex-racing greyhound is assessed according to need but is capped at $2,000 per hound unless there are exceptional circumstances. That ensures that the support that is funded by ACT taxpayers is focused here in the ACT.
We do note that there are some exceptional circumstances and we are encouraging people to continue to make contact with local community services who have the ability to assist people in the application process. One example of the exceptional circumstances would be where there is evidence of a significant proportion—and that may be recent racing of around 60 per cent or more—of the activity carried out at the Canberra Greyhound Racing Club.
There is also the capacity to apply for financial assistance that goes beyond the $2,000 cap, again if there are exceptional circumstances, and that may relate to behavioural issues, dental problems or other ones of the dog itself.
MS LE COUTEUR: Minister, how many dogs have been rehomed under the scheme and how much money has been spent? I am asking that on the assumption that you have given me the full list of exceptional circumstances. If there are any more you would like to elaborate on, I would love to hear them.
MR RAMSAY: In relation to the detail of those two questions, I will take those on notice and provide those.
MS CHEYNE: Minister, noting transition is available for greyhounds, what transitional support is available for people seeking to exit the greyhound industry?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Ms Cheyne for the supplementary question. Certainly, one of the things that we have done right from day one is encourage people who are affected by the end of the racing industry here in Canberra to make contact and to receive the transition support package that is available.
Again I encourage people to do that through Woden Community Service. It provides a range of support: training and reskilling opportunities, short-term financial support, business skills support, specialist advice, guiding and planning about future career
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video