Reports of governance dispute at Commonwealth Games Australia

A governance dispute at Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) is reported to have “divided” its board with the body’s former Deputy President Leeanne Grantham having resigned suddenly midway through last month.

CGA made a brief statement noting her departure, with its President Ben Houston thanking her for her service.

However, as reported today by the ABC, Grantham sent a scathing resignation letter seen by senior figures in some sporting organisations that make up Australia's peak Commonwealth Games body.

The letter detailed Grantham’s concerns about issues of "good governance and procedural fairness" and also noted how here expressed of her concerns in board meetings had fallen on "deaf ears".

Grantham cited the impact of her concerns on her health and said she was resigning from a range of positions as a result.

In today’s report Grantham declined to comment to the ABC, citing health issues, other than to say she was "referring the CGA matter to the appropriate authorities".

CGA declined to comment on the letter while a CGA spokesman said the board was "undertaking an independent governance review" and were unable to comment further "until this work is completed".

The organisation declined to answer specific questions from the ABC as to who was running the independent review or what governance issues were of concern.

Speaking to the ABC, Hunter Fujak, a Senior Lecturer in sports management at Deakin University, said CGA was important as a sporting body, with roles in overseeing team size and selection for international events.

Dr Fujak told the ABC that concerns about governance could raise questions about whether the organisation had a "sub-optimal use of resources".

He went on to say “any organisation … will operate at its best when it adheres to strong foundational governance principles.”

CGA does not receive Federal Government funding but instead derives income from investments in an associated foundation, sponsorship rights sales and fundraising activities.

Images: Australian athlete Brenna Kean performs a clean and jerk during the Women's 59kg Final at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (top, credit: Shutterstock) and Leeanne Grantham (below, credit: Table Tennis Australia).