Barwon MP Roy Butler says the NSW peak body for greyhound racing "has the wrong mission or objectives as an organisation, and that needs to change."

He has called for a parliamentary inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW), saying the organisation needs reform.

 Mr Butler made the call in a Private Members' Statement to the NSW parliament on 20 November and said GRNSW should be obliged to consider the sport's social and cultural role for country communities in their objections.

GRNSW has pushed to close a number of rural tracks, including in Coonamble and Broken Hill, and in October released a report from Deloitte Australia which recommended cutting the number of racing courses in NSW from 26 to 12.

Mr Butler argued that the report's recommendations were a foregone conclusion.

"The way the criteria were designed was always going to disadvantage regional and non-TAB track facilities.

"I believe that was intentional.

"The recommendations from Deloitte were predetermined by the criteria that were used."

 The Barwon MP is taking up the fight on behalf of both Coonamble and Broken Hill.

"My communities of Coonamble and Broken Hill have a strong and active group of greyhound enthusiasts.

"The rug was pulled from under their feet when they were told that they are being considered for closure in June 2026," Mr Butler said.

"Coonamble has experienced mixed messaging from Greyhound Racing NSW about its future, the annual Coonamble carnival and the works required to bring the track up to a standard that many other tracks still in use do not meet.

"Greyhound racing is an important part of the fabric of the Coonamble community, and the carnival is an important drawcard that drives people and money to Coonamble."

Mr Butler said that an inquiry should include a focus on GRSNW's objectives, as well as their support for regional clubs and financial decisions.

He says a proportion of gambling revenue should be directed towards the continuation of greyhound racing in country communities.

"Any decision to close tracks needs to be put on hold pending a parliamentary inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW and its actions.

"Scrutiny and accountability needs to be applied through the Parliament."

He also said it should probe greyhound rehoming programs and the objectives of the Greyhound Welfare Integrity Commission (GWIC).

Graham Pickering is President of Coonamble Greyhound Racing Club.

Coonamble Greyhound Racing Club president Graham Pickering said he supports an inquiry.

 "I think the Greyhound board needs to answer to someone besides just themselves. They just do whatever they want," Mr Pickering said.

 "They've got to have some country racing for dogs.

"To put it plain and simple, for dogs that ain't good enough to race down on the provincial tracks, there's got to be some way for them to go and race or they're just going to end up in the GAP (Greyhound Adoption

Program)."

Mr Pickering and Mr Butler have advocated to return the Coonamble track to racing since GRNSW confirmed in mid-2024 their plans to close it.

The body allowed the town's annual October Carnival to go ahead, although they confirmed in June 2025 that it would not proceed this year.

GRNSW claims that dog deaths and high upgrade costs are among their reasons for the Coonamble closure, which the club disputes.

When approached, a spokesperson for NSW racing minister David Harris, said that their government is considering the findings of a previous inquiry into GRNSW, initiated in July 2024, over animal welfare.

Mr Butler plans to put forward his proposal to amend governing legislation “to ensure that the holistic impacts of decisions” by GRNSW are taken into account when parliament returns in the new year.

“I ask every member in Parliament to support continued greyhound racing in regional New South Wales,” he said.

However, Coonamble’s race may well have been run by then.

The board is expected to make a final decision on the Deloitte recommendations before the end of the year, including whether to continue Coonamble as a trial track.

GRNSW CEO Steven Griffin said they are aware of Mr Butler's statement to Parliament.

"At this stage, all GRNSW has done is to release the Deloitte report to allow for full and proper consultation with greyhound racing clubs and the broader industry," he said.

"GRNSW is yet to determine whether to accept the recommendations made in the report.

"We have received a large volume of submissions from members of Parliament, clubs, industry stakeholders and participants.

"We thank everyone for their submissions as they will be invaluable in assisting the Board of GRNSW to determine next steps when they meet again next month."