When premier Mike Baird and deputy premier Troy Grant first announced the NSW government’s proposed greyhound racing ban, member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson spoke against it.
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After an inquiry into the sport, the premier and deputy premier proposed a ban on all greyhound racing in NSW from July 1, 2017.
The move was met by outrage and bewilderment by those who are involved in the sport, a response mirrored by the member for Cootamundra.
Hodgkinson remained steadfast to her principles, even after the bill was passed through parliament, saying how disappointed she was that it had gone through.
It seems now that loyalty to her constituents has cost the member her position as Parliamentary Secretary, a fact she found out via a press release from the government.
Hodgkinson voted against the bill and has now been replaced as Parliamentary Secretary by Bronny Taylor.
“My thoughts are with the many people living in regional NSW who are involved in some way with the greyhound racing industry, who this time next year will be either looking for work or looking to relocate their homes,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“I found out by media release that my role as Parliamentary Secretary has been given to Bronny Taylor and I hope she enjoys the regional leaders forum in Wagga Wagga yesterday and today.
“I must only assume that the reason for this is because I voted to support the thousands of jobs in regional New South Wales that surround this industry.
“The legislation to ban greyhound racing that went through the parliament last week is un-Australian, and ill-thought.
“It will affect many regional communities, not just my electorate of Cootamundra,” she said.
NSW Natural Resources Commissioner, Dr John Keniry AM, has been appointed Coordinator General of the Greyhounds Transition Taskforce that will guide the industry to a humane and orderly closure.
