MEMBER for Barwon Kevin Humphries says he is ‘sorry’ to be part of a government that has shut down an industry, but says it won’t force him to leave the National Party.
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Mr Humphries was one of three Nationals MPs to cross the floor and vote against banning greyhound racing from July 1, 2017.
The others were Cootamundra MP Katrina Hodgkinson, whose electorate covers areas such as Temora, Young and Grenfell, and Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis, who represents people in Grafton, Yamba and Casino.
His stance drew praise from plenty, including Dubbo Greyhound Racing Club president Shayne Stiff, who worked closely with the member whose area incorporates Coonamble, a town with an annual carnival that reaps more than $1 million into the local economy.
In Parliament on Tuesday night, Mr Humphries said outlined the impact of the ban on Coonamble.
“For the hotels, motels and local bowling club, it is their biggest one-off income for the year,” he said.
“I liken the ban on this event to taking the Elvis Festival out of Parkes or country music out of Tamworth.”
While the vote ultimately passed 48-35, Mr Humphries says be stood up for his constituents by voting against party lines for the first time in his 10 years in the post.
When questioned by the Daily Liberal whether he would consider standing for another party or as an independent in the 2019 election, his response was brief – no.
A statement released by his office outlined how tough the matter was for him.
“As I had previously advised, for the first time in my 10 years as Member for Barwon, I made the decision to cross the floor and vote against the Bill,” it said.
“Crossing the floor was not something that I ever thought I would need to do, and I am disappointed and somewhat disheartened that it came to that.
“The fact of the matter is that I have a duty to represent the people of the Barwon electorate and like them, I believe the government does not have a mandate to systemically shut down an industry.
“I believe the decision was made in haste, without proper due diligence of the impacts on individuals, families and the community involved in greyhound racing.
“Further, the repercussions of this decision on any industry that relies on animals for profit or sport has been naively dismissed, and this is one of the most worrying outcomes of the bill.
“The Nationals and Liberals Government has been one that builds industry and is the reason for NSW’s strong growth over the past five years.
“It is the Coalition’s strong track record in encouraging and supporting industry that caused me to join the Nationals, and I am sorry that we have played such a part in closing an industry down.”
