The Morrison Government has strengthened its investment in sport as part of the 2021–22 Budget.
Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said the Budget commitment spanned school sport through to high performance programs ensuring the health and wellbeing of Australians at every level.
The Australian Government’s $245.8 million investment in sport includes:
- $40.8 million to extend the successful Sporting Schools program;
- $132.8 million for Australia’s high-performance sport programs. This represents a growth in annual funding and will continue through to 2023-2024. It includes:
- $50.6 million to support 56 high-performance programs – a boost to 2600 athletes and 320 staff particularly in the lead up to the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2024 Olympics and Paralympics; and
- $82.2 million to extend Athlete Performance Pathways and wellbeing programs.
- $3.5 million for increased operational costs for the Australian Paralympic team to participate in the Tokyo Paralympics as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.
“Sport is a centrepiece of our way of life in Australia and the Morrison Government has never been more committed to ensuring it remains accessible to anybody with a passion to compete or just improve their health and wellbeing,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Our Sporting Schools Program has already proved a significant starting block to teach hundreds of thousands of children about the benefits of sport and what they can achieve with hard work and persistence – it will now continue.”
The program, delivered by Sport Australia, is open to all schools and children up to Year 8.
It has a particular focus on student groups known to have lower activity levels, including girls aged 12 to 14 years and those in disadvantaged and remote locations.
“The Government’s commitment to our high-performance athletes is also ongoing, with our significant and growing investment offering stability and reassurance for those focused on making their mark on the world stage,” Minister Colbeck said.
Strengthening and promoting women’s sport also remains a priority with $17 million to support the hosting of two major international women’s sporting events – the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 and the FIFA Women’s Football World Cup 2023. $2.9 million is also being made available to leverage opportunities through other major international sporting events hosted by Australia.
“These events will support Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19 and no doubt contribute to increased participation and prominence in sport for women and girls,” Minister Colbeck said.
The Government will continue to act on the recommendations of the 2018 Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements (the Wood Review) by providing an investment of $24.9 million in Sport Integrity Australia, maintaining the agency’s foundation anti-doping, criminal intelligence and administrative capabilities.
It will also invest $3.4 million to continue and enhance connections to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and reinforce domestic integrity capabilities in preparation for major sporting events.
Additionally, $4.9 million will be allocated to strengthen child safeguarding practices and ensure the safety and protection of children.
A dedicated team will be established within Sporting Integrity Australia to work with all recognised National Sporting Organisations to embed child safeguards, and drive cultural change in line with national requirements such as the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Another $1.8 million will help streamline the regulation of sports wagering through a new Australian Sports Wagering Scheme (ASWS).
The ASWS will bring together regulatory approaches across Commonwealth, state and territories jurisdictions to ensure there is a framework to protect the integrity of sport, and make Australian sporting competitions more resistant to ever evolving manipulation tactics.
“Each of these measures will strengthen the integrity of Australia’s sporting landscape as we reinforce measures to protect the rights of athletes and ensure they compete on a clean and even playing field,” Minister Colbeck said.
The Morrison Government will also provide a three year extension to the Water and Snow Safety Program with a total investment of $39.1 million.
Funding will be provided to Surf Life Saving Australia, the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia, AUSTSWIM, Lawrie Lawrence’s Kids Alive program and the Ski Patrol Association to continue their valuable work.
The Morrison Government’s 2021–22 Budget can be found here.