MEDIA RELEASE: 18th October 2019

"HORSE RACING EXPOSÉ DEMANDS A ROYAL COMMISSION" SAYS ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY MP EMMA HURST

Following 7:30’s explosive story on the Australian horse racing industry, Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst is demanding a Royal Commission into the Australian racing industry.

The exposé showed racehorses being cruelly slaughtered and serious breaches of retirement form declarations and traceability rules. The Australian community is up in arms over the cruel mistreatment of thousands of animals.

“The horse racing industry is an inherently cruel and corrupt business prioritising profit over animals,” said Ms Hurst. 

“The community is outraged over the web of deception surrounding industry figures and participants. They have finally seen the truth of this brutal industry.

“The revelation that the number of racehorses the industry says it slaughtered in one year is in truth the number killed in a single week at just one abattoir, not only shows the racing industry lacks integrity, but that it has has lost its social licence.

“Approximately 15,000 thoroughbred foals are bred each year in Australia to the monied elite who for too long have turned a blind eye to the life and ongoing suffering of the animals.

“After a life of whipping, and often painful injuries, the Australian public now knows the final destination of these gentle animals is often an abattoir - despite authorities telling the public otherwise. It is a cruel end to a life of suffering.

“We cannot allow this to continue. Horses are innocent, intelligent and sentient animals. The horse racing industry, who thrive on the greedy pursuit of profit, must be held to account.

“This report has exposed the racing industry for what it is. A brutal business built on the suffering of thousands of animals. It can no longer be glamorised by a rich and callous minority who profit on horses quite literally running for their lives.

“The Government must launch an immediate investigation on this animal cruelty in NSW. The revelations from this investigation demand a Royal Commission,” said Ms Hurst.

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792