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Swimming Queensland has advised that it was the single dissenting vote in opposition to the constitutional reform of Swimming Australia - balloted at a special general meeting on Friday.

The most powerful of aquatic sport’s state organisations, Swimming Queensland has advised of concerns that the changes to Swimming Australia’s constitution make the board of the national body less accountable around centralisation of control as being behind its opposition to the changes to Swimming Australia’s constitution.

The changes were rushed through in just two months as result of Swimming Australia facing expulsion from World Aquatics forced the sport over lack of representation of athletes in its governance.

Explaining his concerns, Swimming Queensland Chief Executive, Kevin Hasemann said yesterday that the changes demanded by World Aquatics were unnecessary, advising “I don’t think any of us could ever really believe that the action that was threatened by World Aquatics was proportionate, it clearly wasn’t.”

The new model means members such as Swimming Queensland directly elect a lower proportion of the board: from seven out of nine directors previously, to five out of 11.”

Explaining Swimming Queensland opposition to the changes, Hasemann spoke on ABC Radio and issued a press release to explain his organisation’s opposition.

In his comments he advised “we’ve demonstrated this system (the current constitution) can work brilliantly.

“Our view is that what’s actually gone wrong with Swimming Australia is that in recent times the people who filled the president and CEO (roles) haven’t met the standard required. If they get that bit right, they’ll get the rest right.”

The agreement struck was based on a proposal developed in September, but amended after the state members voted against the initial model of reform. A second draft with six additional changes - developed in consultation with World Aquatics, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the members - was agreed late on Friday.

The ASC issued a release after the vote congratulating Swimming Australia but noting “as a result of the constitutional changes, Swimming Australia will move closer towards meeting the governance maturity standards expected for a tier one Commonwealth funded sport.”

Swimming Australia’s governance issues follow strong performances in the pool, the Dolphins team having topped the medal table at the 20th edition of the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan in July.

However, Swimming Queensland is increasingly influential in the national body with athletes affiliated with Swimming Queensland winning almost three quarters of medals won by Australians at the Tokyo Olympics.

Hasemann said the new makeup of the Swimming Australia board risked marginalising grassroots swimming because a majority of directors will now be unelected, adding “too great a proportion of appointed directors can easily result in a board no longer being representative of active participants in the sport or activity.

“It’s hard to see what benefit grassroots swimming will derive from this new structure.”\

"A further concern is that some crucial details of the constitutional reform are missing, such as an increase in the number of people who can vote at general meetings and in board elections, and the creation and role of an athletes' commission."

He also made reference to the financial support of Gina Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting in his press release.

Through Hancock Prospecting, of which she is Executive Chair, Rinehart has given swimmers $40 million to meet their training and living expenses in the decade to 2022 and she has made a pledge to continue the payments until the 2032 Olympics.

Hancock Prospecting was named Swimming Queensland’s principal partner earlier this year, helping the organisation cover a range of coaching and travel expenses.

Images: Australia topped the swimming medal table at this year's World Aquatics Championships (top, credit: Swimming Australia) and Swimming Queensland Chief Executive Kevin Hasemann at the 2019 ASCTA Awards (below, credit: ASCTA).

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