Sport

As Minister for Sport, I have responsibility for Australia’s national sport policy, funding for elite and community sport, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the Australian Institute for Sport (AIS). As a Government we understand the power of sport to enhance health outcomes, improve social cohesion and build bridges of understanding and respect.

I firmly believe that sport is far more than the sum of its parts and as Minister I am committed to ensuring sport is supported from the grassroots to the elite level to boost participation and increase our talent pool.

As Minister I have responsibility for a wide range of programs, including:

• Indigenous Sport and Active Recreation Program (ISARP);
• Community Street Soccer;
• National Recreation Safety Program;
• Saving Lives in the Water program;
• Elite Indigenous Travel and Accommodation Assistance Program (EITAAP);
• Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women;
• National Officiating Scholarship Program; and
• Multicultural Youth Sport Partnership (MYSP) Program.

Australia’s sporting success can only thrive on the foundation of strong governance and leadership which is why as a government we’re committed to encouraging sports to modernise their governance structures. Just as our sporting heroes are role models in the sporting arena, our sporting organisations need to set a good example in their corporate practices.

Strong participation at a grassroots level is also an important focus of the government. To encourage Australians to play community sport we have record investment in participation programs and we fund the Active After Schools Communities program to allow primary school aged kids to get involved in sport.

All Australians deserve to have confidence that their sport is free from corruption and as a government we have pursued the implementation of robust anti-doping programs and match-fixing policies. Federally we are working hard to maintain the integrity of sport and establish effective policies to combat the potential threats of match fixing and illegal sports betting.

For more information about Australia’s sports program visit the ASC website.