1 April 2004
Adjournment Speech - SENATE

Senator LUNDY  (Australian Capital Territory) (8.01 p.m.) —I rise tonight to talk about the allegations of sexual misconduct in our football codes that have recently come to light. They have uncovered what seems to be a culture of accepting unacceptable behaviours, which it would be irresponsible to ignore at a political level. It is important to note with regard to many of the current reports that are in the media—particularly those regarding the allegations of rape against members of the NRL's Canterbury Bulldogs team and allegations of sexual misconduct against members of the AFL's St Kilda team—that no-one has as yet been charged. At this time these allegations are just that: allegations that are under investigation within the criminal justice system. We trust that the legal system will deal with the players against whom these charges have been brought in the same way as any member of society charged with these offences would be dealt with.

Regardless, however, of whether these alleged crimes are proven or not, what they bring to light is the existence in some sports of a very distasteful and disturbing sexist subculture that marginalises, silences and disrespects women. That a sexist culture exists, particularly within the football codes, is beyond question. In fact officials have admitted that serious misbehaviours have been covered up for decades. John Elliott, for example, has admitted that a `fair bit' of misconduct was covered up during his 20-year presidency of the AFL's Carlton club—in fact, Elliott went so far as to make the incredible statement, `Run it under the carpet; that's what we tried to do'. A former first-grade super league player reported that in the past, if players went too far, there were minders who would make the incident go away. He stated that if a girl brought charges or threatened to, someone—a lawyer or club official—would quietly take her aside and remind her that her reputation would be destroyed in the witness box, and then she would be offered a sum of money to take a long holiday. Such actions taken by administrators must be considered at best immoral, at worst illegal.

The fact that not only do players engage in such behaviours but that administrators are willing to cover them up either points to total administrative ineptitude or an entrenched subculture of an acceptance of behaviours that are so far below the societal norm they defy belief. While it is in no way suggested that all football players engage in acts of rape or sexual abuse, reports of Canterbury Bulldogs players urinating in front of the media and levelling crass comments at female reporters, attending police interviews in casual attire with pre-prepared statements and Australian league captain Darren Lockyer's crass joke all show that there is a systemic problem in some sports. Actions like these indicate an absolute failure by some players to comprehend just what is acceptable behaviour. It suggests that players believe they are able, by decree of their sports hero status, to live outside the rules that govern the rest of society.

The continual excusing of these behaviours by administrators and covering up by team mates only serves to perpetuate this misguided belief. As a case in point, in response to Lockyer's joke, ARL Chief Executive, Geoff Carr, put forward the excuse that `young sportsmen cannot be expected to always be diplomats'. What a poor excuse! We are not asking for diplomats or cultural icons; we are simply asking that players do not behave in a way that is so far below societal standards that they shame us all. We merely want to be reassured that any member of this society, sportsperson or not, knows that rape is not a joke. Sexism in any form is denigrating, and the fact is there is a problem in some sports. The question is: how do we change these misogynistic attitudes and instead promote a culture that accepts and respects women?

Many believe that a greater involvement of women in sports, particularly in decision making bodies and management roles, is a key. In fact, a lack of female role models has been seen as a major inhibitor to stamping out sexist attitudes in football codes. Some may argue that this is a concept being pushed forward by women; however, this is not the case. The AFL has said that they believe its success in dealing with ethical issues around racism was largely due to the greater involvement of women in their sport than in other football codes. The AFL also believes that, although far from perfect, it has the capacity to work through the issue of sexism in the same way they worked through the issue of racism because of the role women play in their sporting structure.

Labor has always fostered a culture of equal opportunity and acceptance of women as equals. Labor believes that, if there were a greater involvement of women in decision making and management roles in sport, particularly at the elite level, there would be little tolerance of a sexist culture. Already Labor is leading the way forward to change the male dominated culture of sport, with Victoria's Minister for Sport and Recreation, Justin Madden, and Minister for Women's Affairs, Mary Delahunty, this week announcing $78,000 of funding for a program to encourage more women to join club and league boards and committees. It is envisaged that initiatives such as this will help to specifically build the views of women into the decision making processes.

Parents and players also play a key role in raising their concerns and fears with sports clubs, both nationally and locally. What mother would want her son to become part of a sports organisation that covers up and condones behaviours including the abuse and sexual degradation of women? Can you tell me that a player who has engaged in the abuse of females, as a father in later life would not feel outraged if it were his daughter who was treated so shamefully? Players themselves should also be at the forefront of this community campaign. One of the most disappointing aspects of the current scandal is the lack of male sports role models who have come forward and publicly condemned the assault or harassment of women.

Many players are angry themselves because they realise that their reputation as players has been tarnished by the acts of others. These players must be encouraged to stand up against this behaviour. They must show both the public and other players that they do not condone this behaviour, that they will not be involved and that they will not cover up for their team-mates.

While there is a mounting body of evidence that suggests there is a specific problem within sport, it would be naive to think that the abuse of women is a problem within sport only. ABS statistics show that one in six women are sexually assaulted at some time in their lives. The Australian Institute of Criminology, however, shows that charges of sexual assault and prosecution are successful in less than 10 per cent of cases. Clearly, the fear of reporting a sex crime is still strong in some women. It is a sad reflection on our society that not only do women not feel able to report cases of violence against them, sexual or otherwise, but that rape is the only crime in which the victim is required to prove their innocence.

If a store owner is beaten and robbed, they are not expected to prove that they did not invite the thief into their shop. A rape victim, stripped of their dignity and self-confidence, is required, however, to sit in front of a jury and prove that she was not asking for it because of what she wore out. In fact it seems that many men still fail to understand that rape is a serious business, that it is a serious crime. The results of a recent Australian survey showed that one in six men thought it was acceptable to force a woman to have sex if he felt she had `led him on'. They justify their actions by saying that she was `asking for it'. The message to all members of society and particularly to sportsmen who are revered and idolised must be made very clear: sex without informed consent is rape. No really does mean no.

Change will only come about through policy changes and re-education and Labor knows that it takes a cultural shift to successfully change the behaviour of individuals. Labor is committed to stamping out sexism in all its forms, to promoting a civil society and an equal opportunity and a fair go for all. A concerted effort to promote this awareness and acceptance throughout sport and the broader community is an essential step towards confronting and removing the sexist attitudes that do exist and, of course, towards preventing crimes taking place.

Everyone has a role to play to ensure a safe, healthy and happy life for all associated with sport. For a future federal Labor government, that is the public policy goal. Every child and adult should feel that sport is a positive and exciting thing to be involved with, whether you are a volunteer, a coach, a player or an administrator—whatever role you take on. That sexist attitudes and behaviours are an accepted and, in many cases, a celebrated part of some sporting cultures gives rise to grave concerns within the community and certainly within my party. Media reports such as those we are currently regarding make us collectively hang our heads in shame. The focus on football at the moment is sensational, and rightly so. It is not a better outcome for sport or for society as a whole for this issue to remain behind closed doors and out of the limelight. People must speak out, be proud and defend the right of every woman to have an equal place in society in order to stamp out crimes of this nature and move towards an environment in sport where the culture is indeed celebrated across both genders.