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New Federal Government funding to fast-track Sport Integrity Australia’s capability to build an independent complaints and disputes resolution model has been welcomed by Paralympics Australia.
The Federal Government announced $10million for a two-year pilot program delivered by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) beginning in 2021.
Paralympics Australia President Jock O’Callaghan said it is an important step in the right direction for Australian sport at all levels.
“These are obviously challenging times for our industry for a range of reasons, but this support for SIA from the Federal Government will give the sector a new level of consistency and fairness,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
“Paralympics Australia applauds the Federal Government’s actions to provide more protection, both for sporting organisations that don’t always have the necessary resources, time and expertise to manage complaints and disputes thoroughly, and perhaps most importantly, for individuals who can now have greater faith in the process being transparent and independent.”
Sport Integrity Australia is now calling on sporting organisations to register their involvement, a call Mr O’Callaghan said Paralympics Australia wholeheartedly supports.
“It is absolutely our expectation that our members join Paralympics Australia in signing up,” he said.
“We believe it’s vitally important to work closely with Sport Integrity Australia to support a national integrity framework and to work with sports to implement nationally consistent policies once this Framework has been delivered.
“We have also worked to ensure appropriate access to the National Sport Tribunal in our own policies.
“The overall objective of course is to enhance and uphold integrity in Australian sport which is a responsibility we never take for granted.
“It is a never-ending pursuit that we share with our 23 member organisations and other partners including SIA. There is no doubt that our pursuit is being strengthened by the Federal Government’s continued support,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
By: Tim Mannion, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 18 December 2020
