Hartung resignation focuses attention on limbo in Australian sporting policy

Greg Hartung, Chairman of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), has reportedly told Minister for Sport Kate Ellis that he will be resigning from the position.

Hartung is committed to the International Paralympic Committee and is standing for one of the international body's vice-presidential roles, as well as being a key candidate for a position on the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games co-ordination commission.

While Hartung's shift into the global sports scene will benefit Australia's international standing (following Australian Olympic Committee Chairman John Coates being elected to the International Olympic Committee executive board) it comes at a time when Australian sport is in a state of limbo.
Hartung, who has successfully steered the ASC to a collaborative and effective partnership with sporting bodies during his time as Chairman, will be leaving Australian sport at a time when it awaits the report of the independent panel investigating reforms to Australiaâs sporting system remains prepared for the challenges of the future.

The report from the Panel, chaired by David Crawford, has apparently been finished for some weeks. However, while many ministerial departments have seen a copy, Jacquelin Magnay of The Sydney Morning Herald reported that a spokeswoman for Minister Ellis "maintains the Minister doesn't have a copy of the long-awaited 'Crawford' report."

The Sydney Morning Herald indicates that "the Crawford report has suggested withdrawing funding to most Olympic sports within seven years and also transferring the Australian Sports Commission into the Department of Health.

"It is considered politically sensitive because it could suddenly turn the spotlight on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his lack of sporting credentials."

Early indications of this change in the Federal Government's sport funding objectives were given by Minister Ellis at the Sports Business World conference in Sydney in early September when she stated that "extra funding for sport is not the answer", and went on to highlight the Government's "emphasis on preventative health."

While awaiting the recommendations of the Crawford Report, Magnay reports that many National Sporting Organisations "have been unable to make key decisions about staffing levels and planning because there has been no political direction from Minister Ellis."

The Sydney Morning Herald also refers to experienced officials and coaches being poached overseas and planning for athletes to prepare for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi next year and the 2012 London Olympic Games has been stymied.

Click here to read the full Sydney Morning Herald report. 

12th May 2008 - LABOR CHARTS NEW DIRECTION FOR AUSTRALIAN SPORT