Radio Titan Ray Hadley has issued a formal apology to former Greyhound Racing NSW boss after unleashing an on-air spray that he now admits was largely “incorrect”.
Hadley used part of his final week as host of the morning show on Sydney’s 2GB radio, where he has dominated the ratings for two decades, to walk back comments about Robert Macauley he leveled while covering a story on the greyhound racing industry in May. .
Some of the false accusations Hadley fired off included a reference to a rehoming program for greyhounds in the US, which he described as a ‘cash hoard’. He incorrectly said: “Pack them up, Mr. Macaulay, to the United States of America, and don’t worry too much about what happens then.”
Hadley’s tune changed dramatically on Wednesday: ‘In May this year I was covering a story on greyhound racing and, as part of that, I made a number of comments about Robert Macaulay, who at the time was the CEO of Greyhound Racing NSW.
‘New information has revealed a number of comments I made about Mr Macaulay to be incorrect.
“I now withdraw the incorrect accusations, and apologize to Robert Macaulay for any pain I caused him.”
Hadley is moving on from 2GB after 24 years and has been in talks with conservative TV channel Sky News Australia. His replacement has been announced as fellow Rugby League commentator and 2GB colleague Mark Levy.
Mr Macauley was represented in his defamation claim by Paul Svilans of Mark O’Brien Legal and solicitor Sue Chrysanthou Sc.
Ray Hadley has apologized to former Greyhound Racing NSW boss Robert Macauley (pictured) for comments he made on his radio show in May
Hadley (pictured) is ending at Nine’s Sydney talkback station, Talkback station 2GB on December 13 after hosting its top-rated morning show for more than two decades
In the past, Hadley had defended the Greyhound racing industry and fought hard against former NSW Premier Mike Baird’s failed attempt to ban it.
But his radio rant followed the closure of the Wyee Greyhound adoption facility on the New South Wales central coast, which was transformed into a base for remarrying former racing dogs in the United States.
Macauley said the move was an effort to rationalize Greyhound Racing NSW’s business after a decline in betting revenue.
“There will be no negative impact on animal welfare or monitoring safety initiatives, which will continue with increased funding in line with past years and firm commitments to better world practices,” he said.
‘A full business review and extended consultations with participants, club and association leaders and business partners (were undertaken).
“He emphasized that all animal welfare programs, including rehoming efforts, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) retraining for retired greyhounds, follow-up security work and upgrades will remain fully funded with an unwavering commitment to the best standards.” of the world.”
Macauley resigned as CEO of Greyhound Racing NSW in July.
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