15 November 2017

Report into the Future of Rugby Union in Australia

WA Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds welcomed today’s report into the Future of Rugby Union in Australia and the answers it has provided for rugby fans and taxpayers following the axing of the Western Force.

“I sponsored this inquiry after I saw the devastation and sheer bewilderment of Western Force players and their thousands of fans,” Senator Reynolds said.

“Australian Rugby Union, now called Rugby Australia, cut Western Force from the Super Rugby competition without appropriate explanation or justification in August this year.

“I saw the rugby community were owed answers, as were federal taxpayers, who help fund the sport, and WA taxpayers, who invested more than $100 million in good faith.

“I thank all of my Senate colleagues for their support for this inquiry, and in particular Senator Rachel Siewert for her masterful chairmanship and keen interest.”

“The committee have made recommendations, for the Australian Sports Commission, the Commonwealth Government and Rugby Australia.

“In addition, the committee has recommended the Australian Securities and Investment Commission further investigate the circumstances surrounding the Melbourne Rebels transactions.

“Even before the inquiry had commenced hearing evidence, it was clear ARU representatives were resentful and contemptuous, even dismissive of this Senate inquiry.   I believe there were also inappropriate and misdirected attempts by ARU officials to stop this inquiry.

“A tragedy of the current management’s stewardship is that since 2008, they conducted 13 reviews into the administration of the sport, but provided the committee little evidence of meaningful reform.

“While the sports administration was being endlessly reviewed, it was also been driven close to insolvency, which according to the ARU resulted in the decision to cut a Super Rugby team.

“Rugby Australia must take steps to ensure rugby union survives and thrives in Australia, and that this level of mismanagement is not repeated.”

Senator Reynolds said the committee has now done their part in handing down a report; it’s now time for the Australian sporting community to do theirs and act on the recommendations.

To read the full report visit: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Futureofrugbyunion

Media Contact: Amy Blom 08 9477 5411, 0431 685 372 or amy.blom@aph.gov.au