The Turnbull Government has today released the Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements.
The independent Review, chaired by The Hon James Wood AO QC, examined the current sports integrity threat environment and the adequacy of Australia’s current sports integrity capability.
Minister for Sport, Senator Bridget McKenzie said the report and its 52 recommendations represents the most comprehensive examination of Australia’s sports integrity arrangements ever undertaken.
“The Review acknowledges Australia’s position as a world leader in sports integrity; however, identifies serious and emerging threats that require a national approach,” Minister McKenzie said.
“Although many sports integrity threats are global, they can have profound consequences here at home.
“The Australian community deserve to have confidence in the integrity of our athletes, if we do not, we may risk the many health, economic and social benefits that sports generate.”
“The findings of the Review represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect the integrity of Australian sport.”
“The Government has established a Sports Integrity Review Taskforce to drive the development of a coordinated whole-of-government response which.”
The Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton welcomed the release of the review and noted the identified links between organised crime and the threats to sports integrity.
“Despite significant effort by Australian sport to bolster their own integrity safeguards in recent years, there continues to be significant vulnerability to criminal infiltration and exploitation,” Mr Dutton said.
“These criminal elements are involved in the manipulation of sporting competitions, the provision of illegal gambling and the supply of doping and illicit substances to athletes.
“I will work closely with Minister McKenzie on the Government’s response to these current and emerging threats and I am confident that the steps taken will have a lasting impact on the safety, fairness and integrity of the sporting competitions we all enjoy so much.”
The Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements can be found on the Department of Health’s website.
