Blayney’s Michael Garrity is one of the faces of the state government’s greyhound racing ban.
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During the weekly Monday race meetings at Bathurst’s Kennerson Park track, Mr Garrity and his teenage children Veronica and Jack provide catering at the Hungry Hound Restaurant.
Under the state government’s ban, they won’t have any work come July next year, but there’s bigger problems facing Mr Garrity – a lack of jobs.
With the ban starting to bite the catering work at the greyhound track has already dropped off.
Mr Garrity has taken to reading the classifieds for another job to support his family, but he’s had little luck.
“One of the big enticements was the opportunity for functions. We’re supporting 28 other families like butchers, bakers and food suppliers,” Mr Garrity said.
“There’s none of that happening because the industry is trying to save jobs.
“Meanwhile, everyone else is scouring for jobs through the papers.”
Mr Garrity said the greyhound industry didn’t have a “George Piggins who’s doing the fighting for us”.
“We should be able to make the industry the best it can be,” he said. “If the people in the past haven’t done it, it’s up to the people in the future.”
Deputy opposition leader Michael Daley visited Orange on Wednesday in support of Labor’s candidate for the November byelection, Bernard Fitzsimon.
Mr Daley, who also handles the gaming and racing shadow portfolio, called the greyhound racing ban as “un-Australian” and urged Premier Mike Baird to change his mind.
“Every dollar, every job you take out of the economy has a multiplier effect,” Mr Daley said.
“For every job in the greyhound industry, for every job that is taken out, there are two to three jobs taken out indirectly.
“The Central West is suffering from multiple decisions by the Baird government.
“I’m here because Bernard [Fitzsimon] has invited me up to spend some time with him before the byelection.”
Mr Daley said he had spoken to businesses and people like Mr Garrity who would be affected by the greyhound ban.