Borsak leads protest march supporting greyhound racing
The message to the NSW Government is loud and clear: greyhound racing will not be banned without a fight.
Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party MLC Robert Borsak today led a protest march of 3,500 people down Macquarie Street supporting the greyhound racing industry.
"Mike Baird's ban of greyhound racing, effective next July, was done without consultation and without any basis whatsoever. It must be stopped," Mr Borsak said.
"Greyhound racing fills Government coffers to build schools and hospitals, and provides thousands of jobs across the state - both directly and indirectly.
"If this ban is enacted, what's going to happen to the rural families across New South Wales who will have lost their livelihoods?
"What will happen to the thousands of greyhounds who will no longer be racing? I can tell you that animal shelters already struggle every Christmas with unwanted dogs.
"Unfortunately I don't think that the Premier has thought this through. He will cause the slaughter of thousands of excellent, viable racing dogs through this ban, and the Government will have to partner with crematoria to cope with the situation.
Mr Borsak also called on National Party MPs to stand up for their constituents and cross the floor against Premier Mike Baird on this issue.
"Since the Christian Democratic Party and Labor have joined us in supporting the greyhound racing industry, it now falls on every National Party MP to show where their true loyalties lie.
"Are the Nationals the lap-dogs of the Liberal Party pushing a Green agenda, or will they cross the floor against the Premier and support rural families and the greyhound racing industry.
"Only one party has the guts to stand up for rural communities against a Liberal Party Premier - and that's the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party."
The protest meeting commenced in Sydney's Hyde Park at 11am today, where The Rev Fred Nile, Luke Foley and Robert Borsak spoke against the banning of greyhound racing.
The protesters, led by Robert Borsak, then marched down Macquarie Street and demanded a meeting with NSW Premier Mike Baird and Deputy Premier Troy Grant.
