The Bill to shut down the NSW greyhound racing industry on July 1 next year passed both Houses of the NSW Parliament on Wednesday morning following a marathon debate.  

While the bill passed by 49 votes to 30, New South Wales Premier Mike Baird’s decision to sgit the industry down was not popular with many of his nationals’ colleagues. Three MPs, Barwon MP Kevin Humphries, Cootamundra MP Katrina Hodgkinson and Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis, crossed the floor.

For Ms Pavey, despite her views to the contrary, she said voting against the majority of her fellow Coalition members would have been a “a futile exercise in terms of outcome” and maintaining political unity was paramount. 

“While I deplore animal cruelty in any form, it is clear that the Greyhound Industry’s leadership seriously failed its mostly fair and decent membership, who now have had to bear the consequences of the appalling behaviours of a minority,” Ms Pavey said.

“I argued very strongly against this end-result.

“I preferred a sensible program of increased regulation, monitoring and enforcement of existing laws to uphold the community’s expectations of good animal welfare, as per the 79 of 80 recommendations in the McHugh Report; but the majority of other Parliamentarians supported an outright ban.

“In my career, never once have I previously considered crossing the floor of Parliament. In recent weeks, many in my community pleaded I do so. Members of my Party, people in the street, newsagents, publicans, butchers, farmers, State Emergency Service personnel and Rural Fire Service volunteers, as well as friends and neighbours, are disillusioned with the Government's decision.

“Crossing the floor was something I was prepared to do, but I was reminded that political disunity is death, and, importantly, my vote would not have made any difference to the actual outcome.

“I am not alone; many of my colleagues have struggled too.

“The task now is to be a strong and respected voice in the team to ensure the greyhound industry assistance package is distributed promptly and adequately.

“This decision has been the hardest one I have faced in politics.” 

In a statement Mr Baird said: "I am pleased the Parliament has strongly supported the Government's decision, because it is the right one, even though it has been a difficult one.

"The bill is the direct consequence of the Special Commission, which found compelling evidence of systemic animal cruelty in greyhound racing and concluded there was a culture of cover-up that gave no comfort to those who hoped it could be reformed."