Today’s long awaited release of the government’s review into sport confirms that Australia’s sporting community will have to wait another six months – at least – to see a sports policy from this Sports Minister.
After taking 14 ½ months to complete and release the review, the announcement that we won’t see a fully funded sports policy until at least the 2010-11 Budget is another slap in the face for athletes, coaches and administrators who are waiting for a sports policy from the Sports Minister.
While welcoming the release of the review, it still defies belief that it took 14 ½ months to complete and release it.
After two years in office, the Sports Minister has provided no direction for sport.
Not one new initiative that would increase participation rates or help our elite athletes, despite holding the portfolio for almost 2 years.
This lack of leadership is already affecting our preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the 2012 London Olympics.
How can we expect our athletes, coaches and administrators prepare for next years Commonwealth Games in October when they only have indicative funding and nothing certain.
We have seen benchmark results from the Australian Olympic Committee which shows that Australia is already sliding backwards.
And we have the Active After Schools Community program, which is getting kids in after school care active, left with no funding certainly beyond the end of next year.
With the release of the review, the ball is now in her court.
It will be a huge failure for the Sports Minister if she can’t deliver significant funding for the third Federal Budget in a row.
Her ability to transform the sector in the best interests of both elite and community sport will test her Ministerial leadership.