Rebel Nationals MPs vindicated, but still demoted after Greyhound ban reversal

Nationals MPs and former parliamentary secretaries Katrina Hodgkinson and Chris Gulaptis, who, along with Barwon MP Kevin Humphries, voted against the ban, and should feel vindicated, according to one analyst.

On Tuesday the Premier and Deputy Premier moved into line with the trio’s vote to stop the ban, dragging 69 Coalition MPs with them, who now face the embarrassing task of selling their backflip.

Mr Baird said on Tuesday the greyhound industry would be given a final chance to improve its animal welfare record. This is despite the premier being firm on a complete ban as little as two weeks ago.

An industry reform panel chaired by former Labor Premier Morris Iemma has been established to determine the new regime, including mandatory life bans and increased jail terms for live baiting, greyhounds being registered for their entire lives, and increased resources for enforcement and prosecution on animal welfare breaches.

But Mr Gulaptis and Ms Hodgkinson would not get their regional briefs back because of a cabinet decree on floor-crossers.

The trio of rebel MPs praised Mr Baird and Mr Grant on reversing the decision.

Ms Hodgkinson also touched on the personal hardships of crossing the floor, while Mr Humphries hinted the ban could have lead to a loss of government.

“The key is that we could make this decision because we were in government - not opposition,” Mr Humphries said. “A bad day in government is far better than a good day in opposition.”

Ms Hodgkinson said her supporters had provided a shoulder “when the chips had been down.”

“And there were some very tough times. But ultimately it is a relief for anyone involved in this industry and the farm industry too.”

University of Sydney political analyst Dr Peter Chen said the Greyhound ban reversal had seen the trio end up “on the right side of the debate” and showed the Nationals could still hold the Coalition agreement to account.

But he questioned why Greyhounds had been a “die in the ditch issue” while a broader economic fight such as coal seam gas had not seen the same level of action. 

“Yes the Nationals have had success here, but it is more of a symbolic, marginal issue than something like CSG,” he said. 

Dr Chen said the Coalition’s enemies had also grown. 

“They’ve completely irritated the animal activists and Greens on this now, so at some point (during the process) they’ve had everyone offside. 

“It is a very embarrassing backdown for MPs to have to deal with. They’ll probably try to talk about anything else (in the short term).”

Opposition Leader Luke Foley said Mr Baird’s decision was “the mother of all backflips” and question Mr Barid’s oft-repeated principles

“I'm calling out a search party for them,” Mr Foley said.

FARMERS might breathe a sigh of relief at the repeal of the Greyhounds ban. 

But Barwon MP Kevin Humphries says NSW agriculture has already been split by the thin edge of the wedge. 

Mr Humphries, along with Cootamundra MP Katrina Hodgkinson, cited a fear for agriculture when opposing the Greyhounds ban in August, based on a sliding public opinion on animal wastage that could see many farm industries shut down.

““This is a good day for the farm industry,” Mr Humphries said on Tuesday, “but anyone who trusts that the Animal Justice Party or The Greens are friends of our regional economy or rural business need to have another think.” 

Deputy Premier Troy Grant said The Nationals would not seek to add additional controls to farm industries. 

“Intensive farming and agriculture already have strict controls and hold themselves to the highest standards.” 

The Land has also been told the impending introduction of the Biodiversity Conservation legislation will not be affected by the Greyhound ban reversal. 

The legislation is due in parliament in the coming weeks and is expected to pass before the end of the Spring session. 

POLITICAL opponents have jibed that the reversal of the Greyhounds ban was more to do with saving Deputy Premier Troy Grant’s job and strengthening the Nationals’ hold on the seat of Orange than it was about listening to constituents. 

But a joint press conference on Tuesday Premier Mike Baird and Mr Grant presented as a united front in an attemept to draw a line under a fortnight plagued by reports of internal discord in the Nationals.  

Mr Grant indicated he would not stand down as party leader and vowed to listen to local communities and his colleagues. 

He also declared Orange was a seat not to be taken for granted amid reports of unimpressive polling giving NSW Labor and the Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers a sniff of an upset. 

“(We) have delivered on all fronts for the Orange Electorate,” Mr Grant said. 

“We will be campaigning on that record and what we can  continue to provide the people of Orange, Parkes, Forbes and Cabonne.”