[Greens-Media] MPs show good form on sexual assault as footy season kicks off

[Alison Orme]

MEDIA RELEASE - 2 March 2005

MPs show good form on sexual assault as footy season kicks off

A motion by Greens MP Lee Rhiannon, spokesperson for Women, on sexual
assault in football, passed through the NSW Upper House today with
unanimous support.

"The Greens are heartened that MPs have thrown their weight behind
this important motion, just in time for the start of the season and
following on from the Knights scandal," said Ms Rhiannon.

"The Greens have got MP's backing to support proposals for change
developed by 'Football Fans Against Sexual Assault' (FFASA), on
behalf of over 1,000 footy fans Australia wide.

"Key proposals include staging a 'Weekend of Champions' this
season, with players and fans donning symbolic purple armbands and
developing annual, national football awards recognising integrity,
innovation and leadership.

"I'm surprised but delighted the Government supported our motion,
considering the NSW Minister for Sport and Women, Sandra Nori, last week
inferred she'd done enough for women and fans by initiating an annual
sports integrity award.

"But her Minister's award doesn't make the grade. It isn't
owned and developed by sport itself. It doesn't integrate ethical
practice with excellence on the field. 
We want national awards that codes want to win because they're
prestigious, not because there's a measly $2,000 attached.

"Nori might also be mindful that putting the boot into the codes, as
she did late last year to the NRL, is just not helpful, particularly
when the NRL had just allocated $1 million to clean up its act.

"As FFASA has shown, a positive approach, working in co-operation
with the codes, is the most constructive way to bring about change,"
Ms Rhiannon said.

More information:  Alison Orme, Adviser,  9230 3551, 0408 976 707 
Kath Haines, Co-Founder, Footy Fans Against Sexual Assault 9559 5449
Motion attached. FFASA's website: www.ffasa.org 


Ms Rhiannon to move-

1.	That this House:
(a)	recognises that gender violence in sport is a national issue and
not only limited to football,
(b)	commends the National Rugby League (NRL) for commissioning the
University of Sydney's "Playing by the Rules Project" and committing
to the project's recommendations, and
(c)	commends the Australian Football League (AFL) for releasing
"Discussion Document Re Development of AFL Response to the Issue of
Violence Against Women" and inviting public comment.

2.	That this House supports Football Fans Against Sexual Assault
(FFASA) in:
	(a)	submitting a proposal for change "Towards Champions: A
Better Culture, A Better Game", to the AFL and NRL on behalf of over
1,000 football fans and citizens Australia-wide, and
	(b)	calling on the AFL and NRL to become national and
international leaders in the area of gender violence prevention in
sport.

3.	That this House calls on the AFL and NRL to consider and
implement FFASA recommendations, in particular recommendations to:
(a)	foster increased Australian-based research and expertise in the
area of gender violence prevention in sport,
(b)	include fans and the broader football community in culture
change strategies by hosting a "Weekend of Champions" during the
2005 season, whereby players and the football community don purple
armbands,
(c)	invite leading gender violence prevention activist and ex-All
Star American footballer, Jackson Katz, to Australia to increase public
awareness of how gender violence may be combated in sport,
(d)	work with the Federal and State governments in developing annual
awards aimed at recognising integrity, innovation and leadership in
sport, and
(e)	increase the participation of women in the game.

4.	That this House calls on:
(a)	the AFL and NRL corporate sponsors to sponsor the "Weekend of
Champions" by providing purple armbands that can be worn by the
football public.
	(b)	the Hon Sandra Nori MP, Minister for Sport and
Recreation and Minister for Women and Senator the Hon Rod Kemp, Federal
Minister for the Arts and Sport, to work with the AFL, NRL and other
sports bodies in developing annual awards aimed at recognising
integrity, innovation and leadership in sport.



Alison Orme (Tues, Wed & alternate Thurs)
Policy Adviser
Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
NSW Parliament
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
ph 02 9230 3549
mob 0432 332 104
fax 02 9230 3550
email: alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au
http://www.lee.greens.org.au