Public Comment Policy

Date policy was made

11 April 2016

Commencement date of this version

15 July 2025

Application

This Policy applies to all Industry Participants.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set out Greyhound Racing New South Wales’s (GRNSW’s) expectations of Industry Participants who make any Public Comment, on Social Media and otherwise, in relation to Greyhound Racing including comment that may adversely affect GRNSW, Greyhound Racing Clubs, Officials, or the reputation and integrity of Greyhound Racing.

GRNSW recognises the value of Public Comment by Industry Participants, including on Social Media, to promote Greyhound Racing and as an important tool of engagement for Industry Participants. This Policy does not intend to discourage, nor unduly limit, personal expression or online activities. However, given the nature of the industry, each Industry Participant can be seen as an ambassador for Greyhound Racing and therefore any Public Comment they make may impact the industry as a whole. Therefore, Public Comments should be made with care and respect. In addition, Industry Participants should be aware of provisions in the Rules which may be contravened when making Public Comment, including the offences contained in national rules 86(f) and 86(q) and local rules 86(b) and 86(c).

GRNSW treats comments in Social Media in the same manner as comments made in person and in the traditional media.

GRNSW encourages Industry Participants and members of the public to raise legitimate animal welfare concerns. Information about the integrity of animal welfare or the conduct of a person involved in greyhound racing can be submitted by calling the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission on 13 49 42.

The purpose of those rules is to protect the reputation and welfare of Greyhound Racing, GRNSW and Greyhound Racing Clubs and Officials from the effects of inappropriate Public Comment. Inappropriate Public Comment can be severely detrimental to the integrity, viability and cohesive operation of Greyhound Racing and Pet Placement and the respect for Greyhound Racing Officials and personal safety.

What Is Public Comment?

Public Comment is any comment that is made (whether by publication, digital platform, broadcast or otherwise) by a person or caused to be made by a person:

· Is directed to the community at large; or

· Could reasonably be expected to become publicly accessible.

Without limitation this includes:

· Comment whether by words, images or other content;

· Comment in traditional media including newspapers, television and radio;

· All comment on Social Media and any other digital platform. Such comment should not be regarded as private communication between individuals given the risk of the content being spread to others including the community at large.

Official public liaison and Social Media engagement by GRNSW

Official Public Comments of GRNSW, including on Social Media and other digital platforms, may only be made by GRNSW’s Chief Executive Officer.

Non-Official Public Comment including Social Media engagement by Industry Participants

Industry Participants should recognise that inappropriate Public Comment may damage the reputation and welfare of Greyhound Racing, GRNSW and other Industry Participants. Industry Participants are personally responsible for the content of the Public Comments and should ensure any comment made about or in relation to Greyhound Racing is informed and factually accurate.

In this respect, and in accordance with rule 86 of the Rules, Industry Participants should not make any Public Comment that:

a) is unreasonably detrimental or prejudicial to the interest, welfare, image, control or promotion of Greyhound Racing; or

b) unreasonably uses any contemptuous, improper, insulting, or offensive language, imagery or other content towards or in relation to a Greyhound Racing Official exercising their powers or performing their duties or functions in relation to greyhound racing.

Without limiting the generality of these provisions, GRNSW would consider Public Comment that makes any express or implied reference to Greyhound Racing and Pet Placement programs of GRNSW and / or any Greyhound Racing Club and Official and includes any of the following content to be unreasonable:

a) defamatory material towards or in relation to a Greyhound Racing Official;

b) statements or opinions not based on truth and / or made without reasonable foundation including in relation to a Greyhound Racing Official and / or the integrity of Greyhound Racing or its management, Greyhounds Australasia or its officials;

c) discriminatory, racist, abusive, threatening or obscene language or imagery;

d) language or imagery that is otherwise offensive or inflammatory without a reasonable basis;

e) misrepresentations about the source of comments or the identity of the maker;

f) breaches the reasonable expectation of privacy of a person;

g) comments that may constitute a criminal office or give rise to civil liability or that otherwise breaches any law; and / or

h) comments identifying matters that are currently the subject of legal proceedings,

stewards inquiries or appeals that would prejudice a proceedings or breach a court’s non- publication order.

If an Industry Participant is unsure whether a Public Comment, they propose to make will breach this policy, they should contact GRNSW’s Chief Executive Officer for approval prior to making the Public Comment.

GRNSW Platforms: Online Community Conduct and Moderation

GRNSW maintains official online platforms and digital spaces to encourage respectful, informed, and inclusive public engagement around greyhound racing. These include GRNSW websites, official social media accounts, and affiliated third-party platforms. Participation in GRNSW’s online communities is a privilege, not a right, and is subject to the following standards of conduct. Industry Participants and members of the public are expected to:

· Engage in a respectful, businesslike, and thoughtful manner—even when expressing disagreement.

· Treat all participants, including GRNSW staff and Officials, with courtesy and professionalism.

· Use factually accurate information and avoid making or spreading misleading claims.

· Avoid personal attacks, inflammatory language, or engaging with trolling behaviour.

· Stay on topic and contribute constructively to discussions.

· Avoid the use or sharing of defamatory, offensive, or discriminatory language, imagery, or emojis.

· Respect the privacy of others and avoid posting personal or sensitive information without consent.

· Refrain from sharing content that may prejudice ongoing legal matters, inquiries, or appeals.

Moderation and Enforcement

GRNSW reserves the right to moderate, hide, or remove content that violates these standards. GRNSW may restrict or block access to its online platforms where users or Industry Participants who:

· Post material that is harassing, unlawful, defamatory, obscene, or discriminatory

· Disrupt discussion through trolling, spamming, or aggressive behaviour

· Misrepresent identity or impersonate others

· Repeatedly breach the community standards outlined in this or related policies

Pinned Post

To support transparency and ensure consistent expectations across all platforms, the following “pinned post” will appear prominently on all social media accounts / platforms managed by GRNSW and its associated entities:

Please remember this is a public forum - your comments are visible to everyone.
We ask that you engage with thoughtfulness and courtesy, as your words reflect on the greyhound industry as a whole.

We welcome respectful, intelligent discussion and value diverse opinions, but personal attacks, abusive language, misinformation, or trolling will not be tolerated and will be removed.
Please keep comments constructive, stay on topic, and ALWAYS treat others with respect.
Repeat violations may lead to a ban and comments will be forwarded to the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC), or to the appropriate individual or authority for further action.
Let’s keep this a constructive and inclusive space where all voices can be heard respectfully.

For the full policy, click here: https://www.grnsw.com.au/about/governance/community-guidelines

Complaints and Investigation

GRNSW will continually monitor media and online Social Media and other digital platform activity in relation to Greyhound Racing.

If an Industry Participant considers that there has been Public Comment in contravention of this Policy, they may make a complaint about the comment or content to GRNSW, which may order an inquiry into the comment in accordance with Rule 90 of the Rules. If an Industry Participant is reasonably believed to have breached this Policy, the matter may constitute an offence under the rules and subject to further inquiry in accordance with the Rules.

Consultation Or Advice

This policy has been developed to provide guidance for Industry Participants (including GRNSW Employees) in relation to Public Comment including in the emerging area of online social interaction. Industry Participants who are unsure of their rights, liabilities or actions pertaining to this policy, should contact GRNSW.

Consequences Of A Breach Of This Policy

An Industry Participant who has made Public Comment which is in breach of this Policy, or suspected to breach this Policy, may be requested to:

· remove or withdraw the Public Comment; and / or

· make corrective Public Comment.

A breach of this Policy may result in disciplinary action under the Rules. A breach of this Policy may also amount to breaches of other GRNSW policies.

If a GRNSW Employee breaches this Policy, they may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Definitions In This Policy:

Act means the relevant legislation pertaining to a jurisdiction relating to greyhound racing, including the Greyhound Racing Act 2017 (NSW).

Greyhound Racing means everything and anyone who participates, at any level, at any time, with any activity associated with greyhounds or racing and includes, but is not limited to:

the keeping of greyhounds which are in the care or custody of registered or other persons; the registration and breeding of greyhounds;

any matter or thing connected with greyhound racing.

Greyhound Racing Club and Official means:

a) a Steward;

b) the Committee, or a member of the Committee, of a club;

c) GRNSW or an Employee of GRNSW; or

d) any other person having official duties in relation to Greyhound Racing, as these terms are defined in the Rules.

GRNSW means Greyhound Racing New South Wales as a body corporate, constituted by the Act.

Industry Participant means all persons bound by the Rules pursuant to rule 3, in relation to Greyhound Racing conducted or administered by GRNSW. This includes GRNSW Employees, members and officers of clubs and persons who take part or attend in events.

Policy means this Greyhound Racing New South Wales Public Comment Policy.

Public Comment has the meaning given to it in this Policy.

Rules mean the GRNSW Greyhound Racing Rules, as amended from time-to-time.

Social Media and other digital platforms means websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking including, but not limited to, social networking sites (such as Facebook, Linkedin, X, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest) content sharing sites (such as YouTube); blogs, forums and discussion boards (such as Google Groups, WhatsApp), and email.

Relevant legislation and rules

· Greyhound Racing Act 2017 (NSW)

· GRNSW Greyhound Racing Rules: Rule 86 sets out offences under the Rules.

Key related documents

· GRNSW Employee Code of Conduct

Amendments to, and Operation Of, This Policy

GRNSW reserves the right to amend this policy at any time. This policy does not operate contractually and is not intended to be contractual in nature.