Sport Australia welcomes creation of new integrity agency

February 13, 2019

Sport Australia has welcomed the announcement by the Federal Minister for Sport, Bridget McKenzie of the establishment of the new national sports integrity agency, Sport Integrity Australia.

Sport Australia Chair John Wylie said these whole-of-sport reforms represent a strong, single focus, commenting “we welcome this concerted, one-stop-shop approach and acknowledge the work conducted by James Wood and the Sports Integrity Panel.

“The establishment of Sport Integrity Australia and the reforms announced by the Federal Government ... will help protect Australians participating in sport from grassroots to high performance.

“This will complement the work of Sport Australia. A fair, clean and safe system starts at the local sports club and sporting organisation. The work we are doing in partnership with our national sporting organisations focuses on leadership, culture and governance – key factors in ensuring the integrity of our sports system for our young, community based athletes and for our sporting heroes.”

Wylie (pictured above) also welcomed the commitment by the Government to pilot a National Sports Tribunal to hear anti-doping violations, along with other disputes.

“The Australian Institute of Sport invests in high performance athletes who deserve to compete knowing their sport is clean and fair.

“The ability of the Tribunal to gather evidence to ensure natural justice is crucial.”

Wylie advised that Sport Australia will work closely with the Government as the span and scope of Sport Integrity Australia is developed. Sport Australia will maintain its focus on the importance of the work being undertaken as part of the Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse recommendations, the National Redress Scheme and providing sports at all levels with advocacy and advice.

Sport Australia Chief Executive Kate Palmer said the organisation would work to assist in the establishment of the new agency, adding “our integrity focus remains firmly on safe, healthy and accessible sport and physical activity opportunities for all Australians.

“We know the significant contribution sport makes to all of our lives and the new measures announced by Minister McKenzie today send a strong message to ensure Australians can play sport safely and fairly.

“We’ll continue to work in the key areas of child safe and inclusive sport, to ensure national sport organisations have the tools and knowledge to create safe and ethical sporting environments.”

12th February 2019 - Federal Government announces new body to safeguard the integrity of Australian sport

17th October 2018 - Sport Australia announces new integrity role appointment

7th September 2018 - Sport Australia Chief Executive intervenes in FFA governance dispute

17th August 2018 - Dismissed Cricket Tasmania executive looks for legal redress

1st August 2018 - Australian sport integrity review recommends crackdown on sporting cheats

1st August 2018 - Federal Government releases new national sport plan

29th March 2018 - Sports Commission backs Cricket Australia player bans

22nd January 2018 - New Sports Commission executive to focus on partnerships and participation

18th August 2017 - New Chief Executive named for Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority

5th August 2017 - Federal Sports Minister launches review into integrity of Australian sport

11th December 2016 - Tennis Australia strengthens integrity measures ahead of Australian Open

30th October 2016 - Pope tells sports summit that integrity matters more than winning

12th July 2014 - Sport integrity a priority for betting agencies

19th December 2013 - South Australian sporting organisations briefed on sports integrity issues

17th October 2013 - Partnership to improve integrity in sport

26th July 2012 - Commonwealth sport ministers agree to protect integrity of sport

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