Overview
- Upper house Liberal Kerry Vincent confirmed Thursday the Liberal government withdrew its bill to end greyhound racing by 2029, removing it from the Legislative Council's schedule at the last minute.
- The plan can only pass with four independent votes, and independents Tania Rattray and Casey Hiscutt declared opposition as debate opened, while Ruth Forrest said she was undecided and called the withdrawal disgraceful.
- The Council suspended its sitting and now expects to revisit the legislation in mid-May at the earliest, with members warning the numbers remain tight.
- Labor said it will vote against the ban and argued the delay keeps trainers, breeders and track staff in limbo, while industry figures also attacked a proposed compensation package as too small.
- Some supporters, including the Greens and RSPCA Tasmania, backed a pause to seek more detail, and Tasmania would become only the second Australian jurisdiction after the ACT to end the sport if the bill passes.