Minister for Sport Kate Lundy today welcomed the passage of legislation in the New South Wales Parliament that will see match-fixing in sport, race-fixing and other forms of corruption punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment.
“This legislation represents a very important milestone in the delivery of Australia’s National Policy on Match-Fixing in Sport,” Senator Lundy said.
“Match-fixing poses a complex challenge to the integrity of sport which is why in June last year the Australian Government joined with the State and Territory governments and agreed to a national policy to protect the integrity of sport.
“A key element of this agreement was the development of consistent national match-fixing criminal offences to stamp out corruption and make it an offence to intentionally fix or attempt to fix the outcome of a sporting event.
“Australians love their sport and they deserve to have confidence that their code is free from corruption and match-fixing.”
The proposed Crimes Amendment (Cheating at Gambling Bill) 2012 will see a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment for anyone found to have engaged in or facilitated conduct that corrupts the outcome of an event.
“I would like to acknowledge the NSW Government for being the first State or Territory government to introduce this ground-breaking bill and establish tough new penalties,” Senator Lundy said.
“This legislation unequivocally sends the message that corruption in sport will not be abided and that rorting the outcome of a sporting event is a crime.
“Minister Annesley has set the benchmark and I now call on the other States and Territories to follow the lead of NSW and take action to protect the integrity of sport.”
