Motions

AFL Administration

The Hon. S.L. GAME (16:40): I move:

That this council—

1. Acknowledges that the significant public money spent on assisting our two AFL clubs by redeveloping Adelaide Oval should have resulted in South Australians benefiting ahead of the AFL when it comes to the autonomy of our South Australian AFL clubs;

2. Recognises that due to the investment of the government in both AFL clubs it is in the state's interests that both AFL clubs operate independently of AFL control as do all Victorian-based AFL clubs;

3. Acknowledges that successive governments have failed to release the SafeWork SA report into the January 2018 Adelaide Football Club training camp despite the AFL apologising for the damage caused to individuals by what happened on the camp and calls for the release of the report;

4. Recognises that we should have a South Australian with our state's interests at heart appointed to the position of CEO of the Adelaide Football Club, instead of an AFL administrator operating with his wings clipped at the whim of the AFL; and

5. Calls on the government to establish an inquiry to investigate how the AFL has taken control of both AFL clubs in South Australia and to adopt measures to ensure that members of both clubs are given control of the club including the right to democratically appoint all board members.

South Australia is a proud sporting state and beyond that, a state that always strives to showcase its independence and many wonderful standalone qualities. Unfortunately, the current governance of South Australia's biggest two sporting clubs, the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power, flies in the face of that popular belief in aspiration and instead brings into question the clubs' autonomy. The facts are that seven of the nine board members at each club are appointed by the AFL. Just two people on the board are appointed by members.

AFL is always a hot topic and the 2024 season and which clubs will make the top eight and which clubs will not has been no exception. But I have some bad news for our two AFL clubs: both Adelaide and Port Adelaide sit well outside the top eight on the inaugural AFL Corporate Governance Ladder compiled recently by the Governance Institute of Australia. In a report authored by the organisation's Nathan Bartrop, I can reveal that the Crows sit in 14^th position and Port Adelaide in 15^th position. Only competition newcomers, GWS and Gold Coast, along with the Western Australian Football Commission-owned West Coast Eagles sit below our two SA clubs.

This is unacceptable. I believe in accountability, transparency, and giving back power to the people of South Australia. Given the significant taxpayer funds ploughed into our two AFL teams, including for the Adelaide Oval rebuild, I believe members should have a much bigger say on who is appointed to the respective boards. A greater proportion of the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power board members need to be elected by members rather than appointed by the Victorian-centric AFL.

I am calling on the state government to help enforce a change in the constitution to restore more power to club members and, by extension, make the boards accountable to the members and the South Australian taxpayers who funded these facilities. Sporting clubs that are part publicly funded need to be run as a democracy, rather than be controlled by an interstate entity, like the AFL. Mr Bartrop has told my office that if a similar governance model was in place at AFL clubs like Geelong, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne or Hawthorn, the members would be, to quote Mr Bartrop, 'pretty horrified'.

Further, Mr Bartrop described the governance systems in place at Adelaide and Port Adelaide as 'not really accountable to anyone' and 'lacking transparency'. He told my office that it was difficult to see why some of the board members were appointed by the AFL. Under the democratic system, members could judge for themselves the qualities and qualifications of all candidates, then make informed decisions that are best for their club.

It is for these reasons that I am calling for a parliamentary inquiry to investigate the AFL's control of both AFL clubs in South Australia and to adopt measures to ensure both clubs regain control of the right to appoint their board members. Striving for the installation of this democracy links to my desire to recognise that successive state governments have failed to release a SafeWork SA report on the Adelaide Crows' notorious pre-season training camp run by Collective Mind.

Had the club's governance been more accountable and autonomous, the best disinfectant, sunlight, may have been shone on this messy, drawn-out and ugly chapter in the club's history. Public apologies to ex-Crow Eddie Betts and others highlight that, despite assurances to the contrary, the camp was problematic. Again, given the public funds directed towards our AFL clubs, I believe the public has a right to know the contents of SafeWork SA's report.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.