WHAT A WASTE ON GREYHOUND REFORM
Premier Baird tried to do the right thing, banning greyhound racing in July because, as he said at the time, a special Commission of Inquiry had found "damning" evidence of the "unnecessary slaughtering of tens of thousands of healthy dogs".
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He subsequently did his now infamous backflip, betraying the hopes of thousands of compassionate supporters.
Greyhounds are gentle dogs who want nothing more than to snuggle and spend time with their people and be included in their families.
Instead, they are treated like machines. Many are "discarded" as puppies in the name of "selective breeding".
Others are shot, bludgeoned to death or simply abandoned to fend for themselves when they’re deemed too old, injured, slow or exhausted to continue racing profitably.
All over the world, people no longer wants to support an industry that subjects these gentle, sociable animals to a life of servitude and misery.
The greyhound racing industry – like many of the dogs used in this cruel "sport" – is dying.
If Mike Baird had stuck to his principles on banning greyhound racing, he would have left a lasting legacy of compassion and been remembered as one of the great Premiers of this state. What a waste.
Ashley Fruno, Associate Director, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia
A MIXED LEGACY FOR MIKE BAIRD
In response to the article by Julian O'Brien, "'Telfon Mike lost sheen" (Illawarra Mercury, Friday January 20, 2017), outgoing, Premier Mike Baird lasted just two years and nine months, which is less than Nick Greiner, Morris Iemma, Barry O'Farrell or John Fahey.
Our state has had seven premiers in 11 years, so where is the political stability for the people?
Baird's resignation is for family reasons and seems genuine, but it could also be seen as him cutting and running from a voter backlash.
Baird transformed the state (as he promised to do) by leasing the electricity networks to pay for massive infrastructure projects such as the Metro rail line and WestConnex, while clearing the state of debt. Which should be applauded.
Being human, all politicians are open to mistakes and/or making bad decisions and I am not making excuses for any of them.
However with this in mind, Mr Baird will not be remembered kindly for the forced council mergers and the greyhound ban which crippled many good families.
Also the building contract for new trains which went overseas, but could have helped local manufacturing and created thousands of jobs.
Mike Baird leaves a mixed legacy for our State.
Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow
A QUESTION RAISED ON AUSSIE OF THE YEAR
Whatever happened to David Morrison, 2016 Australian of the Year?
For a few months after this honour was bestowed upon him, he was publicly outspoken on a number of important (eg domestic violence), and perhaps not so important (use of the term 'guys'), matters affecting Australian culture.
Then he seems to have gone missing in action.
This really hit home when in today's Mercury (p17) there is a full page spread to celebrate Australia Day 2017 and it is the 2015 Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty (and not our current Australian of the Year, David Morrison) sharing the importance of the Australia Day with the readers.
Raises a question.
Why have an Australian of the Year at all?
Karl Dubravs, Oak Flats