New South Wales Nationals leader & Acting Premier Troy Grant "is under pressure from within his party to revisit a decision to shut down greyhound racing, with more than six of his colleagues opposing the ban and pushing for a conscience vote," according to Hutchinson & Chambers of THE AUSTRALIAN. Nationals "spoke out against the Baird government’s decision, arguing the move will destroy jobs, economic opportunities and a way of life in regional areas." They "are now pushing for a conscience vote to be held when parliament resumes sitting next month." Cootamundra MP Katrina Hodgkinson said, "I feel disappointed that we haven’t been consulted (and) not having been part of the decision … I would hope respect was shown to MPs to vote the way they see fit." Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis said that "he had made his disappointment and opposition known to his leader," and would continue lobbying Grant to push against the ban. Gulaptis said, "I think the decision was too drastic. We need to ensure that their investment is protected. Not everyone has been cruel to their dogs or participated in live baiting." Grant, who is also racing minister, "has shown early resistance to a conscience vote, telling his MPs that the government had no choice but to act decisively." Ahead of racing resuming statewide tomorrow, Nationals and Liberal MPs "expressed dismay that the decision was made without broad consultation through the party, and was announced to the public through a post uploaded to the Premier’s Facebook page last Thursday" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 7/12).
