A petition calling for greyhound racing to be phased out has renewed debate over an industry with a long history in Brisbane, including at Albion Park.
Read: Big Plans Ahead For Albion Park Paceway As Brisbane Prepares For 2032 Olympics
The petition, now with more than 5,200 signatures, argued there is no way to make greyhound racing truly safe. It calls for a planned phase-out, alongside measures to rehome racing greyhounds and support workers affected by the industry’s closure.
The petition stated that 30 greyhounds were killed on Queensland tracks in 2025, with many more euthanised following racing injuries. It also claims thousands of injuries occur on Queensland tracks each year.
Its welfare concerns extend to The Q, the publicly funded greyhound racing facility at Purga, near Ipswich. The petition stated that 33 greyhounds have died after racing there since the venue began racing in March 2025.
Rehoming And Public Funding Concerns
The petition also raises concerns about the number of greyhounds being bred and the capacity of the community to find homes for retired racing dogs.
“The industry faces a growing rehoming crisis, with more greyhounds bred than can be rehomed. Community-funded rescue groups often carry the burden of caring for and rehoming greyhounds. Queensland remains the only state where the industry’s Greyhound Adoption Program is fully funded by taxpayers.” the petition reads.
“Greyhound racing relies on substantial public funding, while gambling companies are among the primary financial beneficiaries. Polling indicates most Queenslanders oppose greyhound racing and the use of public money to support greyhound racing.”
The petitioners are calling for a transition plan to safely rehome all greyhounds and provide support for workers affected by the closure of the industry. It also points to changes in greyhound racing policy elsewhere, stating that New Zealand ended greyhound racing on 31 July 31 2026, Tasmania is legislating a phase-out, and the ACT has already banned the industry.
Albion Park’s Racing Legacy
The issue has a direct connection to Albion, where Albion Park was Queensland’s premier greyhound racing venue for more than three decades. The track held its first meeting in February 1993. It went on to host major events including the Brisbane Cup, Gold Cup, Gold Bullion, and National Sprint Championship.
That chapter changed in 2025 with the opening of The Q. The $85 million to $90 million, three-track facility became Queensland’s premier greyhound racing venue and successor to Albion Park, with major events such as the Brisbane Cup moving to Ipswich.
Albion Park’s final Group 1 events were held in January 2025, followed by its last scheduled meeting on July 6. Racing Queensland’s calendar showed a reduced schedule continuing during the transition period into 2026.
Read: Harness Racing to Remain in Brisbane With New Racing Precinct in Albion
The petition now puts the future of Queensland’s greyhound racing industry before the state’s Parliament, with animal welfare, rehoming and public funding among the issues raised by its supporters.
Published 13-August-2026
