Greyhound racing ban: Bid to stall work until judicial review denied

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Greyhound racing ban: Bid to stall work until judicial review denied

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A bid to stall work on implementing the ban on greyhound racing - pending the outcome of a judicial review - has been denied by the High Court in Wellington.

Last December, Racing Minister Winston Peters announced the sport would be banned in 2026.

In August lawyers for the Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) argued to the High Court the work of a ministerial advisory committee - tasked with implementing the ban - should be stopped, until a judicial review of the legislation was heard.

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They said the ban would have a devastating effect on the livelihoods of more than 1000 people and the minister had failed to consult with the Racing Integrity Board's (RIB) and to take into account measures to improve animal welfare in the industry.

On Monday Justice Dale La Hood issued his ruling declining the application for interim relief.

He said Cabinet's decision to ban greyhound racing was "not subject to any legal yardsticks" and there was no statutory duty to consult with the RIB.

La Hood said the GRA had failed to make a strong case that the minister was required to go beyond the information provided by the RIB that was presented to Cabinet ahead of the decision. https://bitofayarn.com

"The executive is not unlawfully implementing the ban without legislative authority by requiring members of greyhound racing clubs to cease greyhound racing while it is still lawful," La Hood concluded.

He said evidence linking the consequences of the ban to the call for the work to be delayed was "weak".

"Although there can be little doubt that participants in the industry are preparing for the fact that Parliament may ultimately enact the proposed legislation, there is no evidence specifically addressing whether the orders now sought (disavowing any attempt to delay the legislative process) would have any material effect on those consequences (logic and common sense would suggest not)," La Hood wrote.