Pressure mounts on Malinauskas Government as 11,000-signature petition
calls for greyhound racing phase-out

Key points

• More than 11,000 South Australians have signed a petition calling for greyhound racing to be phased out, with the petition to be tabled in Parliament today

• Two years after the Government ordered greyhound racing reform, injury rates are

  worse than ever with South Australia now recording the highest injury rate in the nation

• A total of 259 injuries were recorded in just three months, while fresh welfare and integrity scandals continue to emerge

• Greyhound Racing SA data last week revealed greyhounds linked to South Australia’s largest owner were exported to China after regulators were told they were bound for Ireland

• Taxpayers continue to subsidise the industry to the tune of an estimated $3 million a year, despite worsening injuries, welfare failures and repeated integrity concerns

The petition, to be tabled by Labor MP Cressida O’Hanlon, comes as the two-year reform

period triggered by the 2023 inquiry into greyhound racing reaches its conclusion, with the

Government expected to determine its next steps in the coming weeks.

The issue will remain before Parliament this week, with Greens MLC Melanie Selwood

expected to introduce a motion in the Upper House tomorrow calling for a planned phase-

out of greyhound racing in South Australia.

It also follows RSPCA South Australia’s recent public call for a planned phase-out of

greyhound racing in South Australia, adding to growing scrutiny of the industry’s welfare

and integrity record.

Fresh data shows South Australia now has the highest greyhound injury rate in the

country. In 2025, Greyhound Racing SA recorded 1,064 injuries, including 316 major

injuries and 188 life-threatening injuries.

That trend has continued into 2026. Between January and March, 259 injuries were

recorded — a 16 per cent increase on the previous quarter — while the injury rate rose

from 30.99 to 43.67 per 1,000 starts, a 41 per cent increase and around 15 per cent higher

than New South Wales.

Recent incidents have further intensified public concern.

This month, allegations of severe neglect emerged after emaciated greyhounds were

discovered at a South Australian trainer’s property. Earlier this year, two Greyhound Racing

SA employees were dismissed over alleged race-fixing and wagering misconduct.

Internal Greyhound Racing SA proceedings reveal Australia’s largest greyhound owner and

South Australian registered participant, Ray Borda, two greyhounds were exported to

China. Their true destination was only later confirmed through Department of Agriculture

export records, exposing significant failures in transparency and oversight.

Last month, greyhound I’m Vanilla Baby was euthanised after suffering a catastrophic leg

fracture during the Murray Bridge Cup — on the same night the dog’s trainer also claimed a

$25,000 winner — a stark reminder of the competing interests at the heart of the industry.

The Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds says the industry continues to receive an

estimated $3 million a year in taxpayer support under a funding model the State

Government describes as “balanced, transparent and sustainable”, despite mounting

evidence of worsening injuries, welfare failures and integrity concerns.

Quotes attributable to Elle Trahair, South Australian Director, Coalition for the

Protection of Greyhounds:

“The Malinauskas Government has now had two years to determine whether this industry

can reform, and the evidence is clear: injury rates are rising, welfare failures persist, and

serious integrity concerns continue to emerge”

.

“These are not isolated incidents or teething problems of reform — injury, death and

wastage remain inherent features of greyhound racing, despite years of oversight and

public funding”

.

“South Australians are increasingly asking why taxpayer money is still being used to prop

up an industry that continues to harm dogs, while public confidence in its ability to reform

continues to erode”

“The Government now faces a defining choice: continue backing an industry marked by

escalating injuries, welfare failures and integrity scandals, or begin a planned transition

that puts animal welfare, transparency and community expectations first.”

CPG says a structured phase-out would allow public funding to be redirected toward

rehoming programs, support for workers and participants, and practical measures to

reduce overbreeding and the number of dogs entering the system.

The call comes amid growing international scrutiny of greyhound racing, including New

Zealand’s recent legislative move to ban the industry.

Figures current to 16 June 2026.