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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-08-20 Daily Xml
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Homophobia in Australian Rules Football

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:41): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing on the topic of homophobia in sport.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The AFL's integrity unit is currently looking into an alleged incident involving Adelaide Crows star Izak Rankine's use of a homophobic slur during the Adelaide Crows game against Collingwood on Saturday. If found guilty, Rankine could be at risk of missing the rest of the AFL season. Mr Rankine is one of a number of players in recent years to have faced disciplinary action from the AFL for his use of homophobic language. When asked about the investigation by the media, Premier Peter Malinauskas stated:

The AFL will go through its process but as a footy fan I hope that Izak Rankine and the best footy players in the competition can play particularly during the finals.

My question to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing is: what is the state government doing to eliminate homophobia in sport, in particular in football, and does the minister agree with the comment made by the Premier regarding Izak Rankine, or does she believe that the AFL should demonstrate a zero tolerance approach to homophobia?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Autism, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:42): I thank the member for his question and appreciate his comments that were made on radio; I think that was yesterday. I agree that there is no space on or off the field in our community for homophobic comments. As I have said before in this chamber, sport enables an opportunity for people to belong and feel that this is a safe space for them.

I know, as has been reported, that Izak did take that first step of apologising, which is an important first step, but there is a long way to go in regard to what we would see as a safe space both on and off the field for players at either a local level or an elite level. As you have highlighted, and as I have been advised as well, the AFL is working through the integrity unit at the moment. That is an appropriate way for this matter to be investigated, and we look forward to finding out what those results will be.

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