Judiciary decisions

There were no judicial decisions or decisions of administrative tribunals during 2015-16 that had, or may have, significant impact on the operations of the ASC.

No reports were issued about the authority by the Auditor General, a parliamentary committee, Commonwealth Ombudsman or the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

The ASC considers the protection of children in sport is of paramount concern and is committed to providing a leadership role in supporting the sport sector to safeguard children.

In April 2016, the ASC CEO Simon Hollingsworth appeared at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse public hearing regarding sporting organisations.

The ASC’s template Member Protection Policies (MPPs), first introduced in 2001, were noted during the hearing. All NSOs funded or recognised by the ASC are required to implement MPPs that address child protection. It was also acknowledged in the hearing that Play by the Rules, a joint initiative of various bodies including the ASC which provides resources to promote safety, fairness and inclusion in sport, was well regarded within the sector. The ASC recognises that more needs to be done to build upon these initiatives and to further progress the dissemination of child protection guidance across all tiers of sport.

The ASC has initiated the second phase of a project with the Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF) and CASRO to develop the National Safeguarding Children in Sport Strategy. This work will include the establishment of a broader strategic framework for NSOs to achieve greater levels of child protection within their sports, underpinned by practical resources to assist sporting clubs, parents and young people.

Privacy

In 2015-16 the ASC received no complaints that it had breached the privacy of an individual.

Freedom of Information

The ASC received 13 Freedom of Information requests in 2015-16 and had one outstanding request from 2014-15. Seven requests were granted in full, two were granted in part, two were refused, three were withdrawn.

One request from 2014-15 that was granted in part is in review by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Processing times were met in all completed requests.

As defined by section 8(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, the ASC has continued to publish on its website the information required by the Information Publication Scheme.