printer iconPrinter Friendly Version

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.

Media Release
Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee reappointment

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today reappointed Professor Ken Fitch AM as Chair to the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC) for a further term of one year.

“Professor Fitch is one of Australia’s leading figures in sports medicine and I am delighted he will continue to bring his expertise and leadership to the work of the Committee,” Senator Kemp said.

Professor Fitch was the inaugural Chair of ASDMAC, which was established in August 1999. He has also been an active member of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2000 and is currently Deputy Chairperson of the Health, Medical and Research Committee and a member of the Ad Hoc Committee for the WADA List of Prohibited Substances.

ASDMAC is administered by the Australian Sports Drug Agency and was established by the Australian Government as a key initiative to get tough on drugs in sport. The committee provides:

  • processes in relation to obtaining approval for the use of prohibited medications for legitimate therapeutic purposes;
  • additional medical and scientific expertise in relation to the determination of positive test results; and
  • additional medical and scientific information arising from positive test results.

Under the new anti-doping arrangements announced on 23 June 2005, ASDMAC will come under the umbrella of the new Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority once it is established.

“ Australia is proud to be among the toughest nations in the world when it comes to drugs in sport,” Senator Kemp said.

“The Australian Government takes very seriously the fight against doping in sport and has invested significant funds into our Tough on Drugs in Sport strategy in recent years. Under the expanded commitment, ASDA received an additional $9.1 million in the 2005–06 Budget for testing, education, communication and advocacy services.

“Professor Fitch has made an invaluable contribution to Australian sport and his work for WADA and ASDMAC will continue to benefit athletes here and around the world.”

 

CANBERRA
18 August 2005

Media contact: Michael Christo, 02 6277 7350 or 0409 040 276