In this petition, we are calling on the South Australian government not to support the Animal Welfare (Jumps Racing) Amendment Bill (No. 6) which is about to receive its second reading in the Legislative Council.

This Bill is attempting to capitalise on Racing SA's misguided decision not to schedule further jumps racing in SA.

However, Racing SA has acted entirely unilaterally in reaching this decision, and did not consult with clubs, participants, its shareholders or the wider industry. 

It is expected that a reconstituted Racing SA Board (in September 2022) will not be so short-sighted and intransigent, and may well be prepared to engage in discussion and reverse the decision. 

However, should Ms Franks' Bill be successful, it will mean the fate of jumps racing has been taken out of the hands of the industry and participants permanently, and there will be no possibility of this serious error of judgement on the part of Racing SA being reversed.

In addition, given the Greens’ federal policy of shutting down horse racing nationally, supporting this Bill would set a dangerous precedent for all forms of racing across Australia.

We would therefore respectfully urge you and your colleagues not to support Ms Franks' Bill, so that the question as to whether or not jumps racing continues in SA remains a matter for participants rather than legislators.