Chapter 1.2: Reforming the Australian Sports Commission to Lead the Sports System

2.1 Recognising the complex nature of the Australian sports system, a single point of focus is required to provide leadership. That point of focus should be the Australian Sports Commission.

Government Response

Supported.

In recognition of the significant leadership role played by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), the Australian Government will reinforce this role, and task the ASC with overseeing the development and implementation of the Government’s integrated and whole-of-sports vision going forward.

2.2 Consistent with the Australian Sports Commission’s leadership role, it should not be involved in service delivery. Those activities that give the Australian Sports Commission a ‘conflict’ with the other organisations it is supposed to deal with and support should be taken away from it. Specifically, the Australian Institute of Sport should be separated from the Australian Sports Commission (we discuss this further in the next chapter) and the Active After-school Communities program should be contracted out to appropriate providers at agreed performance standards.

Government Response

Not Supported.

Following consultation with Australian sport the Australian Government has received strong feedback from national and peak sporting organisations that they do not support the separation of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) from the Australian
Sports Commission (ASC).

In line with this feedback the Australian Government will focus on delivering stronger alignment between the AIS and the state and territory institutes and academies of sport in partnership with state and territory governments to support better co-ordination and reduce duplication, rather than supporting separation at this time.

The Australian Government considers that the Australian Sports Commission is best placed at this stage to ensure an effective and consistent national delivery of the Active After-school Communities program.

2.3 The Australian Sports Commission should be responsible for developing the overarching strategy framework in light of Australian Government policy: proposing and measuring national outcomes, contributing to policy proposals, solving problems, allocating Australian Government money to elite and community organisations and strengthening and evaluating the national sporting organisations. And, very importantly, it should be building collaboration across the sports system.

Government Response

Supported.

In recognition of the significant leadership role played by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), the Australian Government will reinforce this role, and task the ASC with overseeing the development and implementation of the Government’s integrated and whole-of-sports vision going forward, including the National Sport and Active Recreation Policy Framework.

2.4 The Australian Sports Commission board and executive leadership should be reconstituted to ensure that the right skills are in place to meet the Australian Sports Commission’s new objectives. The Australian Sports Commission board should be reconstituted with no more than eight non-executive directors plus the chief executive officer as a board member. Board members should be chosen on a skills basis but with relevant and diverse experience and a truly national perspective. A chair and chief executive officer who can best bring the skills and vision appropriate to the new challenge should be appointed.

Government Response

Supported In-Principle.

In recognition of the significant leadership role played by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), the Australian Government will reinforce this role, and task the ASC with overseeing the development and implementation of the Government’s integrated and whole-of-sports vision going forward, including the National Sport and Active Recreation Policy Framework.

The Australian Government has confidence in the skills and experience of the ASC Board and senior executive staff and will make further appointments, including that of ASC Chair, and assess board structure to ensure alignment with the Government’s new integrated whole-of-sport approach.