NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has called for Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce to “butt out” of commentary on the greyhound racing ban and focus on “looking after his own turf”.
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Greyhound racing will be banned in New South Wales from July 1 next year. Mr Joyce has said that he did not agree with the state government’s ban and said there was a “better alternative”.
“I do not support a ban on greyhound racing, I don’t think you can solve problems by banning things, you should be able to manage the problem,” he said.
“I acknowledge that it is state government business but I am trying to work out how the federal government could intervene in this issue.
“I am sure we would be happy to help them with regulating the industry, I fought tooth and nail against the ban on the live cattle trade so I certainly am not going to support a ban on another industry.”
But, Mr Marshall took exception to Mr Joyce commenting on a State issue and said the decision was not a simple one and bears absolutely no resemblance to the live cattle trade or other food or fibre industries.
“Whether Barnaby likes it or not, there are areas of federal responsibility, there are yet other areas where there are shared responsibilities such as health and education and then there are areas, like the racing codes, that are solely a state responsibility,” he said. “Nevertheless, if Barnaby is going to enter the debate on Greyhounds he should take the time to read the Special Commission of Inquiry report and the previous two NSW Parliamentary Inquiry reports into the greyhound industry. This would help Barnaby understand the difficult situation confronting the government.”
An angry Mr Marshall said Mr Joyce should put up or shut up.
“Shooting from the hip might sometimes be entertaining but in a matter as detailed, with a history as complex and issues so delicate as those currently confronting the Parliament, an emotive response is as unhelpful as it is unwarranted,” he said.
“Of course the federal government does have is its funding powers that they have historically used to influence outcomes in areas controlled by the state governments. So I challenge Barnaby, if he is as concerned as he has suggested, he can put the money on the table to supplement the financial assistance package the state government will be providing to participants exiting the code.”