Mike Baird Attempts To Justify His Shithouse Greyhound Backflip In Presser

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October 11, 2016

NSW Premier Mike Baird has delivered a press conference on today’s decision to reverse the laws his government set down in July, to ban greyhound racing.

Despite the fact that it’s the only good damn thing Baird‘s done in his time as New South Wales premier and it’s the only thing that’s positively affected his approval ratings in the last year and a half, he has announced he’s now officially backtracking.

You might remember this super genuine, seemingly from-the-heart essay about why animal cruelty was *such* an important issue:

Well, meh – those terrifying, stomach-flipping stats from the Special Commission inquiry into the greyhound industry apparently don’t matter anymore.

In his press conference, the Premier had outwardly admitted that “[he and his government] made a mistake”.

#9News State Politics reporter @cokeefe9 asks Premier @mikebaird how greyhound reversal will affect credibility. https://t.co/RcvyGaB7ei

— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) October 11, 2016

He told press that the state government would be “giving the greyhound industry one last chance” to clean themselves up, because everyone deserves a 1000th chance, right?

“On reflection, I think we have got it wrong and that’s why I made the change we made today.” @mikebairdmp #9News pic.twitter.com/QecPQ9kRiV

— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) October 11, 2016

“Surely no one is infallible, no governments are infallible, no organisations are infallible.” @mikebairdmp #9News pic.twitter.com/AmUlYvrqxR

— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) October 11, 2016

“We charged a course that I believed was right…but you want to give the industry one last chance.” #9News pic.twitter.com/70Zfe42udG

— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) October 11, 2016

“As I’ve outlined today, that decision in hindsight…wasn’t the right one.” Premier @mikebairdmp #9News pic.twitter.com/vFY0tXsXut

— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) October 11, 2016

A spokesperson from the World Animal Protection (formerly WSPA) gave a statement to PEDESTRIAN.TV regarding the government decision:

“On behalf of the greyhounds in NSW we are bitterly disappointed with today’s announcement to reverse the greyhound racing ban.

Premier Mike Baird’s original decision to ban greyhound racing was morally motivated given the overwhelming evidence of systemic cruelty presented by the Special Commission.

Today’s decision to reverse the greyhound racing ban is politically motivated. The greyhound industry has had the opportunity to reform in the past and failed miserably to do so. The Special Commission of Inquiry report highlighted brutal animal welfare practices including high rates of injury, widespread live baiting and mass killing of healthy dogs.

The key changes proposed by the greyhound industry fail to protect thousands of racing greyhounds from injury. This decision puts NSW out of step with international progress on animal welfare.”