New unit to protect the integrity of Australia sport

A new National Integrity of Sport Unit (NISU) will be established to help stamp out match-fixing and protect the integrity of sport.

Announced by Federal Minister for Sport Kate Lundy, the new unit will monitor and coordinate the implementation of the national match fixing policy and support Australia's national sporting organisations (NSOs).

Senator Lundy explained "sport is central to the Australian way of life and the new unit will ensure fans can have confidence in our sporting codes

"The scourge of match-fixing and illegal betting undermines the integrity of sporting events and competitions and only cheats the participants and sport fans.

"The NISU will work with stakeholders to ensure spectators can have trust in the honesty and integrity of sport in Australia."

Senator Lundy said a national unit was endorsed by all Australian State and Territory governments in June last year in recognition of the need for a central body to assist with coordination, monitoring and reporting on the National Policy on Match-Fixing in Sport.

She added "cooperation between the State and Territories governments and collaboration with the betting industry is critical to improving standards and protecting the integrity of sport.

"The NISU will strengthen relationships between State and Territory governments, regulators, sporting organisations and law enforcement agencies to effectively combat match-fixing.

"Match-fixing is a global scourge that requires international cooperation. To assist with a coordinated response the NISU will work with other countries, international betting operators and the international sporting movement more broadly to help stamp out match-fixing and fraudulent betting."

The NISU will:

• Work with NSOs to ensure they have the systems in place to monitor and report on activities of their players and officials;
• Develop education programs with NSOs to prevent match-fixing;
• Work with State regulators to implement a national approach to regulation and ensure there are no 'safe havens' for criminals to exploit with lower levels of accountability;
• Work with Australia's justice agencies and law enforcement agencies to ensure nationally consistent criminal legislation;
• Develop an industry standard for information exchange with the sports betting industry; and
• Ensure a rapid, nationally coordinated response when instances of irregular betting are detected.

A NISU website has been established as a resource to assist key stakeholders and sporting organisation access information including integrity tools, education, contacts and research.

For more information go to www.nisu.sport.gov.au

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