Prior to the 1970’s there was limited Australian Government involvement in national sport policy or program development. However, during the Whitlam Government (1972-1975), the Hon. Francis 'Frank' Stewart [Wikipedia], Minister for Tourism and Recreation, commissioned two significant reports:

• 'The Role, Scope and Development of Recreation in Australia' (Bloomfield Report). Professor John Bloomfield AM, (1973). Made a number of key recommendations, including a need for greater emphasis on the professionalism (i.e. governance) of Australian sporting organisations, and strengthening elite sport while championing the need to improve levels of community physical fitness. There was also a focus placed upon the development of a national institute of sport and federal sports funding grants to national sporting organisations and state/territory governments.

• 'The Report of the Australian Sports Institute Study Group' (Coles Report). Dr. Allan Coles, (1975). This report responded to a number of recommendations stemming from the Bloomfield Report and ;specifically examined the feasibility of a National Institute of Sport. Key recommendations included the establishment of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra, with decentralised state branches; development of a national coaching system; and sports science and medicine services facilitated by the AIS.

In 1976 some of the recommended national sport reforms were scaled back by the incoming Fraser Government. However, Australia's poor medal winning performance at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, and subsequent lobbying by national sporting organisations, provided a catalyst for reshaping the Australian Government’s policy position. Funding streams to sporting organisations were established and the Victorian Government's Life Be In It advertising campaign was launched as a national initiative to reverse the increasing trend toward sedentary lifestyles in the Australian population.

In 1978 the first signs of a national elite sport policy started to take shape. The Hon. Robert 'Bob' Ellicott [Wikipedia], Federal Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for the Capital Territory, successfully lobbied his Government to establish the AIS in Canberra. The establishment of the AIS was officially announced on 25 January 1980, and opened on the 26th of January (Australia Day) in 1981 by Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser [Wikipedia]. The establishment of the AIS was, in part, the Fraser Government's response to Australia's 1976 Montreal Olympic poor medal result, with the aim of improving Australia’s competitiveness in future international competitions. The organisation was initially established as a public company under the Australian Capital Territory’s Companies Ordinance, 1981. It became a Federal Statutory Authority in October 1986 when the AIS Act 1986 was passed. This Act was repealed in 1989 when the AIS was officially merged with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).

United States-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympic Games

The United States President Jimmy Carter’s boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games was primarily motivated by the Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979. The Fraser Government supported the boycott and encouraged athletes not to attend the Games. However, 120 Australian athletes (92 men and 28 women) competed under the Olympic Flag at the Games. Taking part in 92 events in 17 sports [Australia at the 1980 Summer Olympics, Wikipedia].

National Institute Network

The National Institute Network (NIN) comprises the Directors of the AIS and the eight State and Territory Institutes and Academies of Sport (SIS/SAS). The purpose of the National Institute Network (NIN) is to: enhance the alignment of state and federal government investment committed to Australia’s international sporting success; optimise the performance of athletes and sport programs; and, strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of the operations of the NIN and the respective individual institutes and academies.

Supporting Australian Sport, The Australian Government is taking a coordinated and collaborative approach to Australian sport at all levels, with a vision to be the world’s most active and healthy sporting nation, committed to encouraging safe participation and known for its integrity and success. (Sport Australia)

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is a Commonwealth entity within the Australian Government’s Department of Health portfolio. The ASC was established in 1985 and operates under the Australian Sports Commission Act 1989. It is governed by a board of commissioners appointed by the Australian Government. The board determines the overall direction, decides on actual allocation of resources and policy for delegated decisions, and is accountable to the Minister for Sport and to Parliament.

The establishment of the ASC was first announced in 1984, when the Prime Minister, the Hon. Robert "Bob" Hawke [Wikipedia], and the Minister for Sport, the Hon. John Brown [Wikipedia], formally announced the membership of the ASC's Board and its terms of reference. Legislation was introduced into Parliament on 3 May 1985 and proclaimed on July 1985. The ASC was formally established as a Commonwealth Statutory Authority by the Australian Sports Commission Act 1985.

Rationalisation of Commonwealth assistance to the sport sector in the late 1980's resulted in the amalgamation of the AIS with the ASC. The ASC subsequently became the principal Australian Government agency responsible for sport under the revised Australian Sports Commission Act 1989.

The Federal Minister for Sport is responsible for national sport policy in Australia and is supported by the Office for Sport, The Office for Sport leads and directs a range of Australian Government sport and physical activity policy areas, including water safety, and the bidding and hosting of major sporting events in Australia. The Australian Government also assists sporting organisations and communities through other Government portfolios, such as the 'Building Better Regions Fund' (BBRF) administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.

National Sports Plan: Sport 2030

The Australian Government makes a significant contribution to Australian sport, with over AUD $357 million being invested to support sport and recreation activities and facilities in 2016-17 [National Sports Plan website].

• Sport 2030 Commonwealth of Australia, (2018). Sport 2030 is Australia’s first national sport plan — and represents the Australian Government’s long-term commitment to seeing Australian sport thrive. Sport 2030 is the vision and the plan for sport and physical activity in Australia over the next 12 years to be delivered in partnership with Australia’s sporting, physical activity, technology, education and corporate community. The strategic priorities are:
  • Build a more active Australia — More Australians, more active, more often;
  • Achieving sporting excellence — National pride, inspiration and motivation through international sporting success;
  • Safeguarding the integrity of sport — A fair, safe and strong sport sector free from corruption; and,
  • Strengthening Australia’s sport industry — A thriving Australian sport and recreation industry.

• National High Performance Sport Strategy 2024 (2019). The NHPSS was released in November 2019 and was developed to support the priorities and objectives of Sport2030. The NHPSS is a joint strategy of National Sporting Organisations (NSO), the National Institute Network (NIN) and other system partners. The NHPSS is a first, positioning Australia’s HP Institutes/Academies and athletes under a national framework, strengthening its dealings with governments, communities, academic institutions, industry and the private sector, moving towards a common goal of National Pride and Inspiration through International Sporting Success.

Previous national sport policies

• The Australian sports kit - Next Step Australian Government; Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories, (1989). The Australian Government's first plan of action, under the aegis of the ASC, to increase the level of participation in sport by all Australians. Equally, it aimed to improve the level of performance of Australian athletes nationally and internationally.
• Maintain the momentum: Australian government sports policy 1992 to 1996 Australian Government; Department for the Arts, Sport, the Environment and Territories (1992). Maintain the Momentum was a four-year sports policy and funding program which brought the government funding cycle into line with the Olympic Games cycle. It also provided funding to continue to grow and consolidate the gains from the Next Step policy including maintaining, or increasing, funding to the ASC, AIS, and Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA).
• Olympic athlete program: making great Australians Australian Government, Department of Environment, Sport and Territories (1994). The Olympic Athlete Program provided $135 million funding over six years. This was additional funding to the Maintain the Momentum policy and was the direct outcome of Australia’s successful bid to host the 2000 Olympic Games and Paralympics in Sydney.
• Backing Australia's Sporting Ability - A More Active Australia Australian Government (2001). This policy had two objectives: to support top athletes to continue reaching 'new peaks', and to increase the talent pool for future world champions by increasing community sport participation.
• Australian sport: the pathway to success Australian Government; Department of Health (2010). This policy announced a new way forward, one that focused upon boosting the participation of Australians for the benefit of communities and sporting success. A way forward that not only delivered on the Australian Government’s commitment to boost funding to both community and high performance sport, but also for the first time, one that delivered a significant investment to the development pathway, which is the vital link that connects grassroots and high performance sport.
• The National Sport and Active Recreation Policy Framework was agreed to by all Ministers (Federal/State/Territory) responsible for sport and recreation in June 2011. The Framework guides cross-jurisdictional cooperation of public policy and program development for the sport and active recreation sectors. It identifies priority areas for investment and sets targets for a range of policy objectives, including participation, international sporting success, and the sustainability of the Australian sport system.
• National Fitness Act 1941 Australian Government, (1941-1994) [no longer in force]. Originally passed during the Second World War the purpose of this Act was to improve the fitness of Australian young people, and better prepare them for work in the armed services and industry. It made federal funding available to state-based fitness councils to coordinate promotional campaigns, programs, education, and infrastructure. Most of this work was accomplished by volunteers with a focus on children and youth playgrounds, clubs, camping programs, and the development of physical education in schools [source: Fit for purpose: Australia’s National Fitness Campaign, Julie Collins and Peter Lekkas, Medical Journal of Australia, (2011)] .

Government policy is shaped by evidence accumulated from various reviews, discussion papers, and inquiries. The Bloomfield Report (1973), and the Coles Report (1975), were precursors to the establishment of the AIS and ASC [now Sport Australia]. Other significant papers include:

• Sport and recreation development: discussion paper, Department of Environment, Housing and Community, (1976). This discussion paper outlines the current state of sport, recreation and fitness in Australia. It briefly examines the Australian Sports Institute Study Group report. (Held by Australian Sports Commission [print], [call number GV675.A87)
• Interim Committee for the Australian Sports Commission, Report to the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Tourism, March 1984, Australian Government Publishing Service (1985). This report looked at the potential role of the Australian Sports Commission and provided guidelines for its establishment. The report also discussed the role of the Commonwealth Government in sports development and outlined possible funding options for sport outside of government sources.
• Active Australia: a national participation framework, Australian Sports Commission, (1996). The Active Australia Framework offered a strategic and cooperative approach to encourage participation in physical activity by all Australians. The Framework was supported by the Standing Committee on Sport and Recreation (SCORS); the Department of Health and Family Services; the National Office of Local Government; State/Territory Governments; and national peak health organisations and sport organisations.
• Shaping up: a review of Commonwealth involvement in sport and recreation in Australia, 'Oakley Report', Sport 2000 Task Force, (1999). This review provides an excellent summary of the Australian sport system in 2000. Key recommendations involve the autonomy of sporting organisations, recreational organisations having greater access to Australian government resources, and development of four business units to assist& sport and recreation;industries.
• The Australian Sports Commission: beyond 2000, Australian Sports Commission, (1999). Discussion paper by the ASC that looked at the Australian sport system beyond the Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games. This paper argued that funding should not be diluted and the ASC role should move from an interventionist managerial approach to one based more on a facilitative approach.
• Game Plan 2006: sport and leisure industry strategic national plan, Sport and Tourism Division, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, (2001). A national strategic plan for the Australian sport and leisure industry. The plan endeavoured to take advantage of Australia hosting the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Industry encompassed four areas: professional services (coaching, sport science, fitness etc.); facility management (planning, construction and management); goods and equipment (manufacturing and retailing); and media (print, television, cable and satellite).
• Australian sport: emerging challenges, new directions, Department of Health and Ageing, (2008). This directions paper on Australian sport policy announced the appointment of an Independent Sport Panel. The Panel would examine the delivery of elite sporting programs to minimize duplication and maximise the benefits and effectiveness of available resources. Other areas for the Panel to investigate were: sport and physical activity as key elements of the Government's preventative health agenda; improving the status of women in sport; improving delivery of Indigenous sport; and improving access to sport for persons with disability.
• The future of sport in Australia, Independent Sport Panel, Department of Health and Ageing, (2009).This report, also known as the Crawford Report, made 38 recommendations; among them: development of a national approach to sports policy at both an elite and community level; that the ASC should not be involved in service delivery; that the Active After-school Communities (AASC) program should be contracted out to appropriate providers at agreed performance standards; that there should be a wider definition of sporting success to include measures of our nation’s fitness and participation in activity; and that there should be an increased focus on physical education in schools.
• Australia's Winning Edge 2012-2022: our game plan for moving from world class to world best, Australian Sports Commission in partnership with Australia's High Performance Network, (2012). Australia's Winning Edge was a collaborative effort led by the ASC with key partners in the sport sector, and builds on the National Sport and Active Recreation Policy Framework (the Policy Framework) and National Institute System Intergovernmental Agreement. The Policy Framework focussed on five key areas: investing for success; planning to perform; the right support; good governance & capability; and evidence-based decisions.
• The Future of Australian Sport: Megatrends shaping the sports sector over coming decades, Hajkowicz, S.A., Cook, H., Wilhelmseder, L., et.al., Australian Sports Commission & CSIRO, (2013). The ASC partnered with Australia's peak science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), to jointly conduct research into the future of Australian sport. The sports played in Australia, as well as how and why we play them, are changing over time. The Report highlighted six sports megatrends, defined as: a major shift in environmental, social and economic conditions that will substantially alter the way people live. Megatrends occur at the intersection of multiple trends. A trend is defined as an important pattern of social, economic or environmental activity that will play out in the future, that will play a role in shaping long-term policy, investment, and strategic planning within government, the sport sector and broader community.
• Market Segmentation for Sports Participation, Australian Sports Commission, (2013-2015). The Market Segmentation Studies provide key insights regarding how participation in sport is consumed among the Australian population. This research is designed to help organisations refine strategies to recruit and retain adults, children, parents and volunteers in sport and sport clubs and ensure our sporting landscape remains strong. Research was published relating to specific population groups including Adults (2013), Children (2013), Volunteers (2014), and Parents (2015).
• Play.Sport.Australia, Australian Sports Commission, (March 2015). The policy looks at how sport has changed in the last decade and plots the opportunities the Australian sports sector must embrace and maximise in the years ahead. It also provides a clear outline of where the Australian Sports Commission expects sports participation to be in the future. Play.Sport.Australia. complements the national high performance plan and is built around better engagement with the community, stronger governance for sports, and innovative ways to improve their long-term financial sustainability.
• Intergenerational Review of Australian Sport, BCG Boston Consulting Group for the Australian Sports Commission, (2017). In recent years, the ASC has observed significant trends relating to sports participation, performance and consumption. To understand these trends and their impact in the future and to best prepare Australian sport to adapt for success, the ASC Board engaged The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to undertake The Intergenerational Review of Australian Sport (IGRS). The IGRS had five objectives:
  • Objective 1: To identify the value of sport to Australia and the key forces and trends that are challenging sporting organisations and the sector as a whole;
  • Objective 2: To understand the current investment in Australian sport, within an international context;
  • Objective 3: To articulate and quantify, to the extent possible, the return from the investment in sport in Australia and internationally;
  • Objective 4: To identify strategies to maximise the opportunities and return for all Australians, in line with broad government policy; and
  • Objective 5: To identify ways for the sports system to work together more cohesively.
• Report of the Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements [Wood Review], Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the Department of Health, (2018). The Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements (the Review) was commissioned by the Turnbull Government in response to the growing global threat to the integrity of sport. The Review was conducted by an independent, expert panel led by the Hon James Wood AO QC, supported by Mr David Howman CNZM and Mr Ray Murrihy. The Report of the Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements was presented to the Australian Government in March 2018. In line with its terms of reference, the Review addresses key domestic and international threats to the integrity of sport and makes 52 recommendations across five key themes: A stronger national response to match fixing; Australian Sports Wagering Scheme; Enhancing Australia's anti-doping capability; A National Sports Tribunal; A National Sports Integrity Commission.
  • The Government Response to the Wood Review, Australian Government, Department of Health, (12 February 2019). The Government is supportive of the recommendations provided in the Wood Review, and committed to ensuring that Australian sport is protected against the rapidly evolving sports integrity threat environment. This means Australians can be confident that their sports will continue to be clean, fair, safe and inclusive.
• AusPlay survey, Sport Australia, (2015-). AusPlay is a large scale national survey that tracks Australian sport participation behaviours and informs investment, policy, and sport delivery by National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) and the sports network. Previously this data—which is used by many government initiatives who have adopted sport and physical recreation participation estimates as a performance indicator—was published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). However, in June 2014 the ABS announced their cessation of funding for all sport and recreation data collection. The Ausplay survey sought to fill this major gap in national sport and physical recreation data. Since late 2015 it has become the single-source data currency for government and the sport sector.

The Parliament of Australia conducts inquiries into issues or legislation brought before its various Committees. These inquiries often invite public submissions and produce a report. Generally, the Australian Government will provide a response to recommendations made in these reports.

Inquiries and submissions often provide valuable research and evidence on an issue, which can be helpful in policy formulation. Parliamentary inquiries have covered a broad range of sport topics, including: doping; funding; facilities; broadcasting and communications; gambling; health and safety; physical education; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples sport participation; and, women in sport.

• The way we play: Commonwealth assistance for sport and recreation, House of Representatives Standing Committee on Expenditure, Parliament of Australia, (1983). This report examined the pattern of sport and recreation provision and Commonwealth involvement, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of specific Commonwealth programs in sport and recreation.
• Payments to athletes and teams who did not participate at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, May 1984 , House of Representatives Standing Committee on Expenditure, Parliament of Australia, (1984). This report examined the nature and purpose of payments made to athletes and teams that did not participate at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. The Fraser Government had requested sporting organisations and their athletes and teams boycott the Games.
• Sports aviation safety, House of Representatives Standing Committee on Transport Safety, Parliament of Australia, (1987). This report examined safety practices of Australian sports involved in aviation activities.
• Drugs in sport: an interim report, Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Recreation and the Arts, Parliament of Australia, (1989). This interim report examined allegations of doping practices relating to track and field and weightlifting at the Australian Institute of Sport. Recommendations from this report led to the establishment of the Australian Sports Drug Agency (now known as the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority).
• Drugs in sport. Second report, 'Black Enquiry'. Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Recreation and the Arts, Parliament of Australia, (1990). This report included responses to recommendations from the interim report and examined weightlifting, power-lifting and professional sports in Australia.
• Going for gold: The first report on an Inquiry into Sports Funding and Administration , House of Representatives Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration, Parliament of Australia, (1989). This report focused on high performance sport funding in Australia and made recommendations regarding the role of the Australian Institute of Sport.
• Can sport be bought? 'Martin Report'. Second report on an inquiry into Sports Funding and Administration, House of Representatives Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration, Parliament of Australia, (1990). This report focused on sports participation funding, particularly for women and sport for the disabled. The inquiry examined tobacco sponsorship of sport.
• Equine welfare in competitive events other than racing Senate Select Committee on Animal Welfare, Parliament of Australia, (1991). This report examined equine welfare at rodeos, camp drafting, eventing and endurance riding. It did not cover the horse racing industry in Australia.
• Physical and sport education. Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Recreation and the Arts, Parliament of Australia, (1992). This report outlined the state of sport and physical skills in Australian school children, training of teachers and community sport providers in provision of physical education and sport, and the allocation of resources to physical education and sport in Australian schools.
• Inquiry into the Sydney Olympics: the adequacy of existing and planned aviation services and infrastructure , House of Representatives Standing Committee on Transport, Communication and Infrastructure, Parliament of Australia, (1994). This report examined the implications of Sydney hosting the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games on broadcast spectrums, transmission facilities, aviation infrastructure and land transport.
• The Community Cultural, Recreational and Sporting Facilities Program: A review of a report on an efficiency audit by the Auditor-General, House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment, Recreation and the Arts, Parliament of Australia, (1994). The report of the efficiency audit of the Community Cultural, Recreational and Sporting Facilities Program dealt with two main issues - the general administration of the program and the accountability of the Minister. The second issue arose because the Minister was responsible for selecting projects to receive funding and there had been allegations that there was a bias towards Labor held electorates in the allocation of funds. The Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories seemed initially not concerned by the serious criticisms made by the Auditor-General about the general administration of the program. However, during the course of the Committee's review of the audit report, the Secretary of the Department, and the Minister, gave assurances that the Auditor-General's findings were now largely accepted and that the Department's procedures will be reformed along the lines recommended in the audit report.
• Soccer: first report, Senate Environment, Recreation, Communications and the Arts References Committee, Parliament of Australia, (1995). This report inquired into player transfers in Australian soccer.
• Soccer: second report, Senate Environment, Recreation, Communications and the Arts References Committee, Parliament of Australia, (1995). This second report examined the administration of soccer in Australia and followed up recommendations from the first report.
• Cashing in on the Olympics: protecting the Olympics from ambush marketing, Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee, Parliament of Australia,(1995). This report examined the scope of existing protection afforded to the words and symbols associated with the Olympic Games in light of Sydney winning the right to host the 2000 Olympic Games. [Held by Clearinghouse for Sport, GV722 2000.M1.A88]
• Olympics 2000 … and the winner is? House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, Parliament of Australia, (1995). This report examined opportunities for Australian industries with Sydney hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Industries covered include: tourism, construction, broadcasting and communications, environmentally sustainable development, sports related industries, and merchandising.
• Rethinking the funding of community sporting and recreational facilities: a sporting chance, House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment, Recreation and the Arts, (1997).
  • Government response - 1998. There had been no funding for community sport since the termination of the Community Cultural Recreational and Sporting Facilities Program in 1994. This inquiry found nearly universal support for the Commonwealth Government to re-enter the field of funding sporting and recreational facilities at the community level.
• Redevelopment of the Australian Institute of Sport, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, (August 2003). Report into the redevelopment of the AIS Bruce Facility, which was approved.
• About time! women in sport and recreation in Australia. Senate Environment, Recreation, Communications and the Arts, Reference Committee, Parliament of Australia, (2006). This Senate inquiry reported on five main issues related to women in sport and recreation: (1) health benefit of sport participation; (2) grass roots participation; (3) elite sport; (4) leadership and governance, and; (5) mass media.
• The reporting of sports news and the emergence of digital media, Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communication and the Arts, Parliament of Australia, (2009). This report examined the nature of sports news reporting in the digital age, in particular the impact of new technologies, video streaming on the Internet, archived photo galleries, and mobile devices. It examined the role of sports organisations in relation to broadcasting.
• The advertising and promotion of gambling services in sport, Joint Committee on Gambling Reform, Parliament of Australia, (2013). Report on the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Advertising for Sports Betting) Bill 2013. This report focused on the advertising and promotion of gambling services in sport.
• Sport - more than just a game: contribution of sport to Indigenous wellbeing and mentoring, House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Parliament of Australia, (2013). This report focused on how sporting bodies can increase opportunities for Indigenous participation; non-government organisations utilising sport as a vehicle to improve health and social outcomes for Indigenous people; and the contribution of Indigenous sporting programs.
• Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment Bill 2013, Senate Standing Committees on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport, Parliament of Australia, (2013). This report includes submissions on proposed amendments to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Act 2006. Proposed amendments included:ASADA working more closely with police and intelligence agencies; banning athletes from working with sports professionals involved in doping; and increasing first offence bans from two to four years.
• Practice of sports science in Australia, Senate Standing Committees on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport, Parliament of Australia, (2013). This report examined the current state of sport science in Australia in terms of accreditation, management of sports scientists by sports organisations, and duty of care and ethical considerations of sport scientists.
• Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, (2013). On Friday 11 January 2013, The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, then Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, appointed a six-member Royal Commission to investigate Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. A public hearing into sporting clubs and institutions was held in April 2016. It is the role of the Royal Commission to uncover where systems have failed to protect children so it can make recommendations on how to improve laws, policies and practices. The Royal Commission investigated how institutions such as schools, churches, sporting bodies and Government organisations have responded to allegations and instance of child abuse. It is also the role of the Royal Commission to uncover where systems have failed to protect children so it can make recommendations on how to improve laws, policies and practices.
• Interactive Gambling Amendment (Sports Betting Reform) Bill 2015. Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Parliament of Australia, (March 2017). Report from the Committee investigating the the Bill that proposes to amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 to implement harm minimisation measures to help individuals using online sports betting to better control their gambling. The Bill also proposes to establish an Interactive Gambling Regulator and National Self-exclusion Register. The committee concluded that the evidence presented regarding problem gambling, and in particular, problem gambling in the online environment is highly concerning. And that national reform is necessary and should be a priority. However, the committee recommended not passing this specific Bill as it noted the government's commitment to establishing a safe wagering environment for Australians by implementing the recommendations of the O'Farrell review into the Impact of illegal offshore wagering as per the Government response.

Various Departments have been responsible for the sport portfolio since 1972. The annual reports of these Departments contains information about activities and expenditures outside the budget of Sport Australia. These activities include: water safety, sport integrity, and major international sporting events in Australia. Annual reports from 1972 to 2000 are held by the Clearinghouse for Sport. Annual reports post 2000 can be located on the relevant Department website.

• Tourism and Recreation (1972-1975),
• Environment, Housing and Community Development (1976-1978),
• Home Affairs (1978/79-1979/80),
• Home Affairs and Environment (1980/81-1981/82),
• Sport, Recreation and Tourism (1982/83-1986/87),
• Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories (1987/88-1991/92),
• Environment, Sport and Territories (1992/93-1996-97),
• Industry, Science and Tourism (1997/98),
• Industry, Science and Resources (1998/99-2000/2001),
• Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (2001/2002-2007/2008)
• Health and Aging (2008/09) - 2009/2010)
• Prime Minister and Cabinet (2010/11)
• Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport (2011/12-2012/13)
• Health (2013/14 - current)

Budget documents

• Australian Government Budgets Documents related to Sport (1981/82 to present day). Covers Australian Sports Commission, Sport Integrity Australia (formerly Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority), Office for Sport.

The Australian Government uses sport as a platform to support a number of other public policy objectives including preventative health and well-being; community and urban development; tourism and trade; and, international relations.

• Sport Diplomacy 2030, Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the Department of Health; contributing portfolio agencies: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Health, Sport Australia, Tourism Australia, Austrade, (2019). This strategy works to bring the Government’s first national sports plan, Sport 2030, to an international stage. Australia recognises the power of sport to bring people and nations together. In 2015, when Australia released its first sport diplomacy strategy, we were a pioneer in the field. Sports Diplomacy 2030 is the second Australian sport diplomacy strategy, building on the success of the first strategy. Sports Diplomacy 2030 envisages closer collaboration between the Australian sports codes, industry and government to leverage the nation’s sporting excellence in ways that enhance Australia’s influence and reputation to advance our national interests.
• Australian Sports Diplomacy Strategy 2015-18, Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; contributing portfolio agencies: Australian Sports Commission, Department of Health, Tourism Australia, Austrade, (2015). This document provides a strategy that focuses on the goals of connecting, developing, showcasing, and sustaining new and existing channels of sports support, sports industry partnerships, and international sports networks. Australia’s sports diplomacy strategy is a whole-of-government approach that will maximise people-to-people links which develop cultural, trade, investment, education, and tourism opportunities.
• National Binge Drinking Strategy, ‘Be the Influence'. Department of Health, (2008-2015). This program involved 16 national sporting organisations tackling binge drinking by providing sporting environments, from national through to community level, that were alcohol-promotion free.
• Australia. Creating world class sporting events, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), (accessed 24 July 2020). Brochure highlighting Australian expertise across every stage of the major sporting event lifecycle and offering to connect foreign investors/hosts to Australian specialists with the vision and proven capability to help create your premier sporting event.
• Preventing violence against women through sport, Our Watch, (accessed 2 March 2021). Our Watch is supported by the Commonwealth Government and all state/territory governments. Our Watch works with sporting organisations to embed gender equality and respectful relationships into their networks and communities, and build cultures that help prevent violence against women and their children. How sport can change the story provides practical examples of actions that everyone involved in sport – whether you’re a Board member, CEO, manager, coach, player, umpire, staff, volunteer or fan – can do to play a role in preventing violence against women.
• Racism.It Stops with Me, Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), National Anti-Racism Strategy, (2012). In partnership with Play by the Rules sport is used as a platform to counter racism.
• You Can Play, Play by the Rules, (accessed 2 March 2021). The & You Can Play anti-homophobia in sport campaign started in the US and came to Australia in 2013. The story of You Can Play is an interesting and powerful story. You Can Play is now supported by many sporting stars and organisations nationally and internationally.