Australian Football League Assaults

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (15:02): I seek leave to make an explanation before asking the police minister a question regarding police policy on assaults on Australian rules football ovals.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE: As far back as 1979, I have watched, with more than a passing interest, assaults on football fields across South Australia, including in 1979 when in my home team two footballers in a grand final were unconscious before the first bounce. Whilst there has been some improvement to the rules and policing since then, it is evident that, having been a strong observer of country football in particular, violence on the football fields is increasing. In fact, in the last few years I have been quite vocal when I have seen direct assault and, in some instances now, it is the norm, providing it is not the opposing team, for supporters to condone actual assault when it occurs. The Yorke Peninsula league has actually addressed this. The Great Southern Football League, in my opinion, is lacking when it comes to this.

I had constituents contact me last year when evidence was taken to the police and, to summarise, the police indicated that they would prefer to see the league sort it out than have to have police interference. We have recently seen the incident at Rosewater with an umpire. We have also seen last week a 14 year old who has been rubbed out for 14 weeks for assault in a junior game.

Assault is assault and a criminal offence, whether it is in the street, the home or on a sporting ground. My question therefore to the police minister is: as a matter of some urgency, will the minister consult with the police commissioner and advise this house what the policy of the police is when the evidence is clearly there for an assault? Will the police treat it as an assault and prosecute the same on a football oval as they would out on the street or in a home where there is domestic violence or any other place where there is assault?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:04): First things first, I think all are in agreement that all forms of physical violence—or, indeed, all violence—is unacceptable, regardless of where it takes place. I might anecdotally contest some of the remarks that have been made by the Hon. Mr Brokenshire regarding the prevalence of violence in amateur football competitions around our state. My experience, as an ongoing participant and a player within amateur football in South Australia, is that violence is treated harshly by the relevant football authorities.

In the time I have been playing footy, which has probably been too long—some 15 to 17 years—I have seen a reduction in the amount of on-field violence in amateur football. Anecdotally, when I speak to many of my friends and fellow players in other leagues and competitions and other teams, they share that experience. Notwithstanding that, there has been a number of high-profile incidents recently which make clear that, of course, even if I am right and the level of violence has been declining, there are still instances that will arise.

I think one of the reasons we are hearing about them in the media is that public attitudes towards violence on sporting fields are substantially different today than they were back in 1979 when you had the grand final incident you referred to. It is treated far more seriously, far more harshly. The suspensions are far larger. Indeed, recently, the Rosewater Football Club has been suspended as a club from adult competition altogether. That is the harshest form of sanction that can be issued by a football league and I commend them for doing so and for taking such a hard stance when it comes to stamping out violence in amateur football.

In that respect, I contest some of the remarks in your question. Having said that, your question in regard to SAPOL's position and policy on this is something I am more than happy to make inquiries about. Of course, it is not the place of government or my place as minister to be trying to issue instructions to police about how they police certain things, but I am happy to take it on notice. I will try to ascertain if police do have an existing policy in place and, if it is appropriate to share that policy, I am more than happy to do so.