Government makes huge gender equality demands on Australian sports clubs, withholding funding as bailout measure

Australian sporting organisations will lose government funding if half of their board members are not women within three years.

The federal government says that under a new policy, 50 percent of directors and board chairs, as well as subcommittee members, must be women or gender diverse starting in 2027.

Otherwise, funding will be withheld from national sports organisations that do not comply with the rules.

“We need more women to make decisions for more women,” said federal sports minister Anika Wells in a statement.

‘Our sporting systems are not equal and this policy will help address the gender imbalances that prevail in sports leadership.

‘Diversity within an organization’s senior roles provides a more complete mix of skills, perspectives and experiences, resulting in better decision making and improved performance.

‘The incredible results of our women in Paris (at the Olympic and Paralympic Games) and the success of teams like the Diamonds, Stingers and Southern Stars have seen an increase in female participation, but we still don’t have the right balance of senior leadership.’

Wells on Tuesday released the National Policy on Gender Equity Governance in Sport with the backing of government agency the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).

Currently, only 25 percent of national sports organisations and national sports organisations for people with disabilities are chaired by a woman.

And only 62 percent of funded national sports organisations meet the required standard of gender diversity on their boards.

ASC chief executive Kieren Perkins said the new policy was crucial to the long-term success of Australian sport.

“As someone who has been fortunate enough to be involved in sport for four decades, it is disappointing that in many ways the sport looks the same today as it did 20 years ago,” the three-time Olympic swimmer said.

The policy sets targets to be met by 2027: that 50 percent of all directors and board chairs be women and/or gender diverse; and that 50 percent of members of specific board subcommittees be women and/or gender diverse.

The policy also provides a framework for improving representation of all elements of diversity, including age, cultural background and long-term disability.

“While this policy focuses on gender equity, it sets out a framework to improve representation of all elements of diversity, including age, cultural background and long-term disability,” said ASC Chair Kate Jenkins AO.

‘A variety of resources, practical tools and programs will be made available to organizations to help them achieve these goals and meet the challenges that may arise with substantial changes such as this.

“As someone who has worked in the field of gender equality and inclusion for decades, today’s announcement is an important step for the sports sector. I am optimistic about the positive impact this policy will have for sport at all levels.”