As Premier Mike Baird prepares what some senior MPs expect to be a change of course on the government's historic greyhound racing ban, the state government is continuing several inquiries into explosive allegations of mass graves and corruption linked to the sport.
A leaked confidential letter from former Greyhound Racing NSW chief executive Paul Newson details previously unpublished allegations made by a former Greyhound Racing NSW official.
They include:
- That senior officials at Greyhound Racing NSW had themselves been involved in "live baiting".
- That at least one employee involved in staging races also bet on races.
- That current and former greyhound officials engaged in "corrupt" and "improper" conduct and did not disclose the discovery of banned substances found while investigating a trainer.
- That the former official possessed evidence which could be used to convict industry participants of live baiting.
The allegations were made under interview by a Greyhound Racing NSW inspector and after the former official had appeared at a special inquiry by former High Court Justice Michael McHugh.
In the letter, Mr Newson brings the allegation to Mr McHugh's attention and says the former official declined to provide further details without the offer of immunity from prosecution.
But Fairfax Media understands the allegations, which have not been tested under cross-examination, are the subject of an ongoing inquiry by the sport's regulator, codenamed Project Hose. A number of other allegations relating to corruption are ongoing, Fairfax Media has been told.
Another inquiry, codenamed Project Yard, is continuing to look into allegations more than 50 greyhounds have been found at a mass grave at a property near Tamworth.
Mr Newson declined to comment.
"Greyhound Racing NSW can confirm it is investigating allegations relating to the conduct of some staff," a spokesman said while declining to comment further.
Mr Newson previously announced that auditor KordaMentha was charged with reviewing historical and new evidence into further mass graves after Fairfax Media revealed the Steirn report found 99 greyhounds had been brutally killed at the Hunter Valley.
The organisation was yet to receive a formal report on the inquiry into evidence for mass graves, the spokesman said.
Mr Baird described the Hunter Valley case as "another tragic example of why the government has acted decisively to end greyhound racing".
The revelations come as Mr Baird's example has been used by a leading coalition of animal rights groups to urge global change.
In a letter signed by groups including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society International, President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister Theresa May and other world leaders are urged to follow the NSW Premier's example.
"Common racing injuries include broken necks and broken backs, dislocations, torn muscles, and paralysis," the group, the International Conference on Greyhound Advocacy, writes. "Thankfully, lawmakers are responding."
The group cites the example of Mr Baird's greyhound racing ban, passed into law in late August, and quotes remarks he made when announcing the dramatic ban in July.
The group notes that earlier this year, the governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey, announced the end of greyhound racing in Arizona.
The group cites statistics showing a decline by more than half of the amount wagered on dogs in Britain since the turn of the century and the closure of the last London stadium dedicated to racing dogs.
But senior MPs in Mr Baird's government are now tipping the Premier could amend those laws this week in the face of intense pressure.
The threat of a leadership spill in the government's coalition partner, the Nationals, though its prospects were dismissed by some senior MPs, precipitated furious and ongoing criticism of the government last week.
The Premier's office said it had no update to offer on Mr Baird's position.
