Greens MP Cassy O’Connor announced yesterday that Racing Minister Jeremy Rockliff had called her on Friday to offer in-principle support for a joint house inquiry into the sport.

Ms O’Connor said she had drafted terms of reference for the inquiry, which she expected would be considered by the Liberal party today.

‘‘I don’t want to overstate this but this is a significant step forward for animal welfare in Tasmania,’’ she said.

‘‘A joint house inquiry will put the spotlight on the greyhound racing industry.

‘‘This will be the first time in Tasmania that the greyhound racing industry has been put under the spotlight of a parliamentary inquiry.

‘‘We can examine to what extent practices such as live baiting, wastage, and draining of greyhound is happening in the industry.’’

Mr Rockliff said the use of live baiting was illegal, disgusting, and totally unacceptable.

‘‘While the government has been advised by racing authorities that there has been no evidence of animals (dead or alive) being used to bait greyhounds in Tasmania since 2008, we believe the high level of public concern means a parliamentary inquiry is warranted, and will assist to restore public confidence in the industry,’’ he said.

‘‘The government has full confidence in the review the director of racing and the chief veterinary officer are currently undertaking into Tasmania’s arrangements for animal welfare in the greyhound racing industry, to ensure we have a robust system in our state. These two statutory officers are both independent from the racing industry commercial arm, Tasracing.’’

The findings of the review are due by March 13, and will inform any subsequent parliamentary inquiry.