The easy part, Premier Mike Baird might soon be reflecting, was making the hard decision.
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It’s everything that comes after that hard decision that will test the NSW Government.
The initial shock of Mr Baird’s announcement last week that his government will introduce legislation to ban greyhound racing in NSW is starting to recede and now the shockwaves are beginning.
Jobs are going to be lost. The future of idle tracks is unclear. Revenue will be lost.
If Mr Baird only had to battle those on one side of the argument, he would already have his hands full.
But on the other side of the argument are those who wonder why Mr Baird can’t tolerate cruel practices in the greyhound industry but he isn’t similarly concerned by harness racing, horse racing, even the various agricultural industries.
Every town and city in NSW will have greyhound trainers who have always treated their animals impeccably who will be asking why they should be punished for the crimes of others. And that’s a fair question.
Given all that, it’s a wonder Mr Baird made the decision at all.
But as he has already shown, the NSW Premier is not afraid of making a difficult policy his own and making it clear to the people of the state that it will be happening, whether some don’t like it or not.
His dogged pursuit of council amalgamations has proven that.
It’s hard to imagine there were ever any votes, or good publicity, to be gained in forced council mergers.
The advantages Mr Baird has trumpeted – greater efficiency, better planning, reduced costs – are hard to show the public until they happen, whereas sacked councillors are much more visible.
In picking a fight with local councils, Mr Baird has picked a fight, simultaneously, with communities across the state, who fear a loss of identity.
But for all the backlash, the opposition and the fighting words – which reached a crescendo with the infamous footage of an administrator being spat upon at a meeting of Sydney’s new Inner West Council – Mr Baird has steadfastly refused to budge.
Those opposed to the greyhound industry ban are making it clear they will do whatever they can to overturn this decision.
Knowing Mr Baird’s track record, however, the smart money at this stage would be on the NSW Premier.