The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.
CYCLING REPORT TABLED IN PARLIAMENT
The Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today tabled the Anderson Report into allegations made by cyclist Mark French at a recent hearing conducted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
In tabling this report the Minister provided the attached statement.
MELBOURNE
29th July 2004
Media contact: Adrian Chippindale, 02 6277 7350 or 0407 208 743
TABLING STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR THE ARTS AND SPORT
On 24 June 2004, the Australian Sports Commission and Cycling Australia appointed the Honourable Robert Anderson QC, to conduct an independent inquiry into:
- allegations made in written and oral evidence by cyclist Mr Mark French before the Court of Arbitration for Sport;
- whether there is any other evidence or information arising from the investigation that may indicate a breach by any persons of any of relevant anti-doping policies;
- whether there is any other evidence or information arising from the investigation that may warrant a person being excluded from furthe participation in relevant programs, teams or events;
- the adequacy of management and supervision of athletes at the Australian Institute of Sport Del Monte facility during 2003 in respect of detection and prevention of doping offences; and
- the appropriateness and effectiveness of steps taken by the Australian Sports Commission, Cycling Australia or any other relevant organisation following the discovery materials in Del Monte on 2 December 2003.
On 2 July 2004, Mr Anderson provided the first part of his report to the Australian Sports Commission and Cycling Australia. This part dealt with the first three terms of reference. Mr Anderson is due to report on the other two terms of reference by 31 October 2004.
In the report Mr Anderson noted that his inquiry into Mr French's allegations was still ongoing, as one of the cyclists was the subject of an investigation by the South Australian police.
The police investigation has now been concluded and Mr Anderson has provided an addendum to finalise the first part of his report. It has become clear through various media reports that significant portions of the report are already in the public domain.
The investigation and the report have been subject to intense media speculation both domestically and internationally. Given this, I have decided that the public interest is best served through tabling of the report, now that the first part has been finalised.
I have taken the decision to table this report following careful consideration of a number of issues. I am aware that the contents of this report are of considerable public interest, but at the same time I am mindful of the rights of all the individuals who have voluntarily co-operated and assisted with this investigation.
The report refers to a number of appendices which are not being tabled at this point in time. A number of these documents contain detailed information, including personal information, provided by a number of people and who voluntarily co-operated with the Anderson investigation without the expectation that their statements would be made publicly available. I will consider tabling the attachments to the report and addendum if these confidentiality aspects can be satisfactorily dealt with. I am advised that the main body of the report stands alone and is a clear account of Mr Anderson's investigation and findings.
There has been speculation about Australia's anti-doping commitment, much of it ill-informed. It is important that there is no doubt that Australia is totally committed to the fight against doping in sport. It is therefore clearly in the public interest that I table this report.