Federal Sports Minister considers big changes in Government funding arrangements

Amid turmoil in the Federal Government’s elite sports funding arrangements in the wake of the ‘sports rorts’ fiasco and an ongoing public dispute between Sport Australia Chairman, John Wylie and Australian Olympic Committee President, John Coates, Australian Sports Minister Richard Colbeck is reported moving towards major changes to the way that Government funds elite sport.

Having recently received a report from former Federal Sports Minister Rod Kemp on the functions and efficiency review of Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and with the Federal Government humiliated by inquiries into the discredited Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program, Senator Colbeck is considering decisive action.

While Australia will be sending its largest ever team to the Tokyo Olympics, a rise in funding by many other nations means the nation’s medal expectations are low.

As a result, Senator Colbeck has suggested that the Government is hoping to facilitate more "philanthropic funding" into sports through the Australian Sports Foundation and may be looking at the privatisation of the AIS.

Senator Colbeck says he's "interested in" the ongoing debate over sports funding and "it's good those views are being aired".

Coates’ ongoing criticism of changes at the AIS and Sport Australia’s Winning Edge funding formula has received widespread media coverage over recent weeks, prompted by reports of extravagant internal spending by Sport Australia.

Discussing the need for greater certainty about future funding for Olympic sports in Australia, the ABC reported yesterday of Coates advising that his differences with Wylie and AIS/Sport Australia were both "philosophical and personal".

Currently, funding for sport is tied to the targeting of Olympic or world championship medals. The AOC President says his organisation has moved away from that model and is more interested in qualifying as many athletes as possible.

Also speaking to the ABC, Senator Colbeck glossed over the clash between Coates and Wylie, commenting "I think I have a positive relationship with both those guys. It's important that I do.

"John Coates is obviously leading a really important push for Australia to potentially host the 2032 Games, which Government is engaged with quite closely.

"So, I have I think a very good relationship with him.

"And I've obviously got a good working relationship with John Wylie. It's my responsibility to actually do that because I have to work with both of those guys."

Commenting on future funding options for sport, he told the ABC "I think it's a reasonable discussion that we have as to how our sports more generally are funded.

"How the resources available are distributed is also I think a reasonable question to be debating on a reasonable cycle.

"But if you look at what's happened, there seems to be a very, very, strong focus on medals, and gold medals within the broader sporting discussion.

"I think Australians generally like to see us successful at Games and wining medals, but there are other things to consider.

"And that's why I'm interested in the opinions that are coming through in the debates at the moment."

Senator Colbeck advised there would be changes not just to the AIS and the sports funding model but to the act that governs the oversight body, the Australian Sports Commission – now branded as Sport Australia.

Some of the ideas being discussed are thought to be included in Rod Kemp’s review, which has not been made public.

Explaining that Kemp’s review would remain secret, Senator Colbeck added “we're seeking views right now because if we're looking at a redevelopment of the (AIS) site, which we are, how do we set it up to make it a place where sport generally wants to come and use it, from not just a national and international level, but how do we make it be a global leader?"

He did not rule out the privatisation of the AIS as an option, telling the ABC "we will make our decisions and I'm not trying to set a direction  … there's obviously plenty of speculation about the circumstances of the Sports Commission."

Senator Colbeck also advised that the Federal Government was looking at how to enhance the role of the Australian Sports Foundation, founded in the 1980s to help individuals, clubs and sports bodies to fundraise.

Image: Australian Sports Minister Richard Colbeck announcing last year the Federal Government's support for Australia and New Zealand's joint-bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.