Our submission guide to help end the live export and import of greyhounds is now available.

The Federal Senate is holding an inquiry into whether it is viable to amend the ‘Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958’ and ‘Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956’ to prohibit the export and import of greyhounds for racing, breeding and commercial purposes.

When any animal is sent overseas from Australia their treatment and welfare becomes subject to the laws of their destination country. They are no longer protected by Australia’s laws, including animal welfare. For many years, Australia was the biggest exporter of greyhounds in the world. These dogs were knowingly being sent into countries where they were known to be abused and live in deprived conditions.

With the launch of this inquiry, every Australian has the chance to determine the fate of these greyhounds.

Submissions close 16 August 2023.

How to make a Submission

If you have not used the Parliamentary portal before, you will be required to create a login.  Otherwise, please use your pre-existing login. 

You will be required to complete a few steps before you can upload your submission 

1. Ensure you select the correct consultation from the drop-down menu 
2. You will be asked to enter your contact details again. This is important, if they cannot verify your existence, your submission will be ignored. 
3. You will be asked to specify whether you are happy for your submission to be published and if so, can it include your name? 
4. Lastly, make sure your submission is in one of the following formats: PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, then upload and submit!

Here are points you may want to focus on when writing your submission:

• Exported greyhounds are no longer protected by Australian laws
• Greyhound export has a history of animals being treated inhumanely

• There is evidence that dogs exported offshore have ended up in the dog meat trade

• Greyhound export and government subsidies are another incentive for this industry to be perpetuated as there is a significant monetary gain.  
• Exporting greyhounds overseas contributes to gambling culture in Australia with all of its financial and social ramifications
• Exporting greyhounds has incentivised inherent cruelty within the racing industry as successful dogs can be sold for large sums of money overseas.  

• Greyhound industry rehoming programs and rescue groups in Australia are full and unable to take unwanted dogs from the industry. 

• The industry is breeding far too many greyhounds and ethically members should have “whole of life” responsibility for these animals. Large monetary incentives mean some of these dogs will be exported overseas.

• The rules of racing in Victoria require ‘retired’ greyhounds to be desexed, however there are a number of recent examples of greyhounds being sent offshore who are not desexed, to breed and race.
• Exporting greyhounds overseas is still permitted by law, so legislation is needed to make it illegal for all of the reasons given above.

For more information visit: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/Greyhound