Principles
The Australian Greens believe that:
1. Sport and physical recreation are important cultural elements for many communities in Australia, especially in First Nations, rural and remote communities.
2. Sport and physical recreation can play a crucial role in the maintenance of mental and physical health and wellbeing.
3. Participation in sport plays an important role in the development of social, organisational and communication skills.
4. Community-based sporting clubs and associations are an integral part of our society, which strengthen community resilience and facilitate cross- cultural interaction.
5. For many First Nations and diverse communities, sport is often the only recreational activity available to community members, especially young people.
6. First Nations cultural and traditional sports should be preserved and promoted.
7. Many sports and games popular in Australia find their roots in traditional First Nations sports and games.
8. Government has a responsibility to ensure equitable access to affordable sport and physical recreation facilities and services.
9. The staging of sporting events and the building of sporting facilities must minimise ecological impacts.
10. Unregulated sports betting poses a threat to the integrity of professional sport.
11. The integrity of sport must be ensured by sound and transparent governance structures.
12. Sports-based research, including into drugs and performance, should always prioritise athlete safety.
Aims
The Australian Greens want:
1. All schools to be funded and required to provide opportunities for appropriate sport and physical recreation for all school children up to and including year 12.
2. Significant sporting events for athletes of all genders and abilities to be available on free-to-air television or other free media.
3. Promotion of women's sport, including support for the professionalisation of women's competitions.
4. A drug-free sporting environment.
5. Improved access to active recreation across all of Australia, including organised sport, for people of all ages, genders, incomes, cultures and levels of ability.
6. The promotion of sport and physical recreation as a key element of health policies.
7. Funding in the health, welfare and social services areas to promote participation in sport or other physical recreation.
8. Support for local government to provide accessible, well-resourced and safe sporting and physical recreation facilities to the community.
9. All new and renovated sport and physical recreation facilities to have best practice standards incorporating the latest in accessibility, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability measures, taking rising temperatures into account.
10. Genuine access to and inclusion in sport and physical recreation facilities and services for disabled people through robust government funding and programs.
11. Increased promotion and resourcing of sport and physical recreation activities in First Nations communities, undertaken in collaboration with these communities.
12. International cultural exchange among First Nations Peoples through sharing of traditional and cultural sports, games and play.
13. A new national prestige sports event for First Nations cultural and traditional sports.
14. Olympic Games and other international prestige sports events to include more events from non-European traditions.
15. The adoption of codes of practice in sport which encourage a culture of respect for all people, and discourage acts of violent or antisocial behaviour.
16. Governance structures and financial structures in sporting organisations and associations to ensure integrity in all sporting codes.
17. Funding prioritised for community facilities which encourage active participation in physical activities.
18. To reduce deaths by drowning through the free provision of swimming and water safety lessons.
19. Restriction on advertising and sponsoring of sports events by alcohol and gaming companies.
20. Reduced influence of gambling on sport though:
- more tightly regulated sports betting;
- education about the risks and harms of gambling on sport; and
- restricted advertising of gambling on sports.
21. Fair pay and conditions for all professionals in sport, including ancillary staff in training, coaching and health support, with immediate action on achieving parity for women and disabled people.
22. Appropriate government funding for research, prevention and regulation to reduce sports injuries, with an emphasis on concussion prevention.
(Sport and Physical Recreation Policy as amended by National Conference May 2021.)