David Leyonhjelm (NSW, Liberal Democratic Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Dastyari, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) complaints by Western Sydney Wanderers fans that a heavy-handed approach to crowd control has been adopted, and that this is deterring fans from attending games,

(ii) that football fans may be banned from stadiums by Football Federation Australia with no opportunity to appeal against the banning order,

(iii) the publication of a list of the names of allegedly banned football supporters in the Sunday Telegraph on 22 November 2015, which apparently included individuals who were not banned, and others who were under 18 and had not been charged with any offence, and

(iv) football fans from a number of clubs have staged walkouts at recent games to protest alleged excessive policing and security, as well as Football Federation Australia's policy regarding banning;

(b) acknowledges Football Federation Australia's:

(i) recent undertaking to develop an appeals process for banned supporters, and

(ii) assurances that it was not responsible for making private information about banned supporters available to the Sunday Telegraph;

(c) calls on Football Federation Australia, police, stadium security, active supporter group leadership and A-League clubs to develop an accord, with a view to ensuring:

(i) Football Federation Australia's banning procedures comply with the rules of natural justice,

(ii) individuals engaging in anti-social behaviour are appropriately dealt with, while other football fans are allowed to enjoy the game in peace,

(iii) exuberant fan behaviour should not be unreasonably interpreted as anti-social or harmful, and

(iv) football supporters are not over-policed; and

(d) calls on the Minister for Sport (Ms Ley) to consider becoming involved in this matter.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President and the chamber. The government agrees with the general principles of this motion. Over 15 million fans have passed through the turnstiles since the A-League's inception. Of those 15 million fans, only 198 have been banned.

The growth of soccer over the last decade, led by the FFA, has overwhelmingly been a positive development. The government encourages both participants and officials to continue to uphold the principles of positive participation in sports.

Question agreed to.