Greens slammed over ‘ridiculous’ policy that would ban horse racing in Australia

The Greens have been rebuked over a “ridiculous” push to ban horse racing in Australia.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi sparked fierce backlash on social media on Sunday when she shared the latest policy proposal to her followers.

Leviathan horse owner Nick Williams, who owns several Melbourne Cup winners, said the proposal was ill-informed, based on misinformation and failed at the most basic level of scrutiny.

“Just for a start, they’re talking about funding it with a one per cent increase on gambling taxes,” he said on 3AW Mornings.

“This is a federal policy and, of course, gambling is state legislated.

“I don’t know how they plan on forcing the states to implement that.”

Mr Williams said the economic and social benefits of horse racing were well-known.

“It’s an industry that produces billions and billions of dollars for our national economy,” he said.

“That’s not to mention the hundreds of thousands of people that are employed in the industry.”

Mr Williams said Senator Faruqi had shown no interest in learning more about the sport.

“I know she’s been having a crack at racing for a while and has had plenty of opportunity and invitations from the industry, in various parts of the country, to actually get an insight into what happens from the inside and she has chosen not to take up those invitations, as I understand, which is disappointing,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear Nick Williams respond to the policy