The report, written by Inspector Sal Perna AM, says it is satisfied with the greyhound racing industry’s overall progress implementing the reforms in the Independent Inquiry into the Governance of the Greyhound Racing Industry in South Australia.

Mr Perna’s report makes two key recommendations; that greyhound racing continues to operate in South Australia; and that greater oversight of animal welfare and integrity issues is required.

The Government accepts both of these recommendations and will begin work to establish an appropriate, fit-for-purpose integrity body for the greyhound industry.

Legislation to support the implementation of the integrity body will be introduced to State Parliament next year.

During the reform period (8 July 2024 to 7 July 2026), Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA) completed 73 of the 78 recommendations (93.5%) for which it was accountable, including:

• Implementing a new greyhound traceability system that tracks the circumstances, location, ownership and fate of individual greyhounds.

• Implementing track safety initiatives including the use of double arm lures, an increase in straight track racing, and establishing a race injury review panel as per the NSW model

• Banning the use of surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds ahead of the national ban to end the cruel practice in January 2026.

In this interim period, continued progress against recommendations assessed as incomplete will be monitored and reported through the Chief Executive of the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing (ORSR).

The State Government appointed the GIRI following an independent inquiry by former Victorian Police Commissioner Graham Ashton AM APM which found the greyhound industry needed to reform to continue operating and meet community expectations.

Throughout the reform period, Mr Perna engaged with more than 550 stakeholders and industry participants, established and convened the Greyhound Racing Reforms Advisory Group, conducted numerous site visits to industry-related operations and attended greyhound race meetings at all five racetracks across the state.

Quotes attributable to Sal Perna AM, Greyhound Industry Reform Inspector

I am satisfied that Greyhound Racing SA’s implementations have reformed the industry sufficiently to support its continuation.

I have recommended to the government that the greyhound industry in South Australia should continue, however, an independent racing oversight body should be established to ensure that these important reforms progress.

Greyhound racing in SA is in a far better position than it was in 2023, but it cannot rest on its laurels.