Senator the Hon. George Brandis S.C.

Minister for the Arts and Sport

8 May 2007

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis today announced an additional $2.24 million in 2007-08 for the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) to undertake investigations into possible anti-doping rule violations in Australian sport.

“The Australian Government remains committed to a zero tolerance policy on doping in sport. Individuals who cheat through the use of prohibited substances or methods should, and will, face very serious consequences,” Senator Brandis said.

“Next financial year, ASADA will receive over $12.9 million to implement Australia’s robust anti-doping framework, which involves a combination of education, advocacy, testing, investigations into alleged anti-doping rule violations and the establishment of clear and consistent arrangements for the hearing of doping cases. This includes the conduct of around 4,200 Government-funded tests.”

“Under the World Anti-Doping Code, the range of anti-doping rule violations has grown and now includes trafficking, possession, and the administration or attempted administration of a prohibited substance or method. As a result, the number of investigations undertaken by ASADA is growing significantly each year,” Senator Brandis said.

ASADA’s funding was increased during 2006-07 from $10.7 million to $12.9 million to provide it with the resources to identify and prosecute anti-doping rule violations. This commitment will continue in 2007-08.

“The Government is committed to ensuring ASADA has the resources it needs to investigate fully possible doping offences and, where appropriate, prosecute them,” Senator Brandis said. “Athletes and the public can have complete confidence that doping allegations are being pursued in an independent, robust and transparent way.”

Media contact: Travis Bell 0448 950 248

Supporting Information

Increased funding for Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigations

Why is this important?

• Sport is an important part of the Australian way of life and is integral to our culture. Doping violates the integrity of sport by undermining the spirit of competition and fair play.
• There are also potentially serious health effects from the use of banned substances and methods. There is also a “flow-on” risk for communities in that doping at an elite level may be seen to legitimise use by individuals at the “grass roots” level.
• This additional funding will ensure that the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) can respond to the intelligence it receives about potential doping breaches and determine whether there is sufficient evidence to make a finding that an individual has committed an anti-doping rule violation. ASADA will be able to increase the number of investigations it undertakes and fully pursue complex cases as they arise.

Who will benefit?

• The main beneficiaries include Australian sporting organisations, the vast majority of Australian athletes who are not involved in doping and the broader Australian public who can have confidence that athletes are competing in a clean sporting environment.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

• The Australian Government’ is committing an additional $2.24 million to ASADA in 2007-08. The Australian Government’s total commitment to ASADA in 2007-08 is $12.9 million.

What have we done in the past?

• The Australian Government’s anti-doping framework is tough on drugs in sport but also recognises and protects athletes’ rights.
• This framework was strengthened with the establishment of ASADA on 13 March 2006. Along with assuming the testing, advocacy and education functions of the previous Australian Sports Drug Agency, ASADA now has the additional responsibility for the investigation of alleged doping violations and the presentation of doping cases at hearings. 
• ASADA now leads Australia’s anti-doping operations.

When will the initiative conclude?

• ASADA has an ongoing role in the investigation of possible anti-doping rule violations and the presentation of doping cases at hearings.
• As ASADA achieves success in the prosecution of doping offences, the deterrent effect is expected to become greater over time and the number of cases going to hearings is expected to decrease.