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.
Australia welcomes agreement on UNESCO anti-doping convention
World sport is the winner as the result of the decisive overnight vote by the international community to endorse an International Convention Against Doping in Sport, the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, said today.
“ Australia has been a strong supporter of the convention proposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Convention,” Senator Kemp said.
“We have played an active role in its development, with representation on the drafting group.
“Adoption of the Convention is an excellent outcome for athletes and sports fans world-wide.
“Our sporting heroes are powerful role models and it is important that children in particular understand that success is built on hard work, dedication and persistence.
“This move sends a clear message that the international community will not tolerate cheating and that nations will take all steps to ensure that cheats do not get onto the winning podium.”
- Parties to the Convention make a commitment to implement the World Anti-Doping Code and take specific action in a number of additional areas, including:
- restrictions on the availability of prohibited substances or methods to athletes (except for legitimate medical purposes), including measures against trafficking;
- support for doping controls and national testing programmes;
- the withholding of any or all financial support from athletes and athlete support personnel who commit an anti-doping rule violation, or sporting organisations that do not comply with the Code;
- encouragement for producers and distributors of nutritional supplements to establish ‘best practice’ in the labelling, marketing and distribution of products that might contain prohibited substances; and
- the provision of anti-doping education to athletes and the wider sporting community.
“Once the Convention is formally adopted, Australia will immediately commence the ratification process,” Senator Kemp said.
“This includes examination of the Convention by a Parliamentary Committee. This process will take some time, but the openness and accountability required under the Australian system is entirely appropriate and will underline the seriousness of Australia’s commitment to the Code.”
PARIS
7 October 2005
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