IT WAS no secret the state’s greyhound industry was happy to see the back of former Nationals leader Troy Grant.
Facing a leadership spill after a horror Orange by-election, Mr Grant stepped down from the top job earlier this week.
But like that winter flu that just won’t go away, legislation he helped enact to ban NSW greyhound racing then promised to reverse, had left a lasting legacy and the industry millions of dollars out of pocket.
Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association chairman and Gunnedah racing club president, Geoff Rose, said Mr Grant’s departure was a shot over the bow for state government.
“The orange by-election has taught all politicians a lesson; you can't meddle with the livelihoods of people's families,” Mr Rose said.
“Politicians have to understand…. they’re not there to destroy lives, they’re there to govern and do the best for the people, not themselves.”
He thought Mr Grant was the scapegoat in a failed political strategy, which had pinned big financial strain on many in the greyhound racing industry.
“I think Troy is the bloke who has taken the blame. In my opinion, it was a call made by him and [NSW Premier Mike] Baird and Baird is still sitting there,” he said.
“But the impact is millions of dollars to the industry, the clubs, the alliance, and people's livelihoods.
“People have gotten out of the game, people have mental health issues, it's had a fair impact on society because of a knee-jerk reaction to a minority of people doing the wrong thing.”
Mr Rose called on government to fast-track its ban reversal and bed the issue once and for all.
“While ever [legislation] is sitting there not being reversed, I don't trust them and neither does the public,” he said.
“It took them 14 hours to un-legislate it, if you want to put it that way, it can take them 14 hours to re-legislate it, if they want to.
“Let us get on with the sport and keep politics out of it.”
John Barilaro was elected as the new Nationals leader.
