Monday 21 August, 2017

Senate Inquiry into the Future of Rugby Union in Australia

WA Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds has announced she will seek the support of the Senate when it next sits to initiate an Inquiry into the Future of Rugby Union in Australia following the decision by Australian Rugby Union (ARU) to cut Western Force from the national competition.

Senator Reynolds said she believes a Senate Inquiry is needed to ensure Rugby Union continues to be an integral part of Australia’s national sporting environment, particularly in light of ARU taking steps to disenfranchise one of the strongest local rugby communities in Australia.

“If the WA rugby community doesn’t understand the reason for the ARU’s decision, how can they and the State Government redress the factors that led to the axing of Western Force and ensure the national competition retains five teams?

“There are serious questions that need to be answered on how ARU came to this decision and I believe a Senate Inquiry can bring much needed transparency to the process.

“When someone as well respected as former ARU Board Member, Geoffrey Stooke OAM resigns and publicly states ARU processes ‘lacked integrity and due diligence’ it is time to act.

“It was also deeply disappointing that ARU officials did not attend the Western Force rally yesterday to explain to more than 8,000 WA community rugby supporters why and how they made this decision.  Therefore, I will be calling for the first public inquiry hearing to be conducted in Perth, so that those most impacted by their decision can hear first-hand the reasons why.

“If the ARU has nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear from Senate and public scrutiny of their decision making processes.

Media Contact: Amy Blom – 08 9477 5411 or amy.blom@aph.gov.au

Proposed Terms of Reference for an Inquiry into the Future of Rugby Union in Australia

The Community Affairs References Committee inquire into the future of Rugby Union in Australia, with particular reference to:

1. Australian Rugby Union (ARU) board deliberations leading to the decision to reduce Australian teams from five to four in the national competition;
2. looking to ensure there continues to be a truly national Rugby Union footprint in Australia;
3. the role of national and state based bodies in encouraging greater national participation in Rugby Union;
4. the composition and community representation in national and state based bodies;
5. the impact of that decision on national rugby capability; and
6. any other related matters.