Skye Kakoschke-Moore (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that the name of Senator Farrell be added to this motion.

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

So added.

Skye Kakoschke-Moore (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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

That the Senate—

(a) congratulates Ms Meg Lanning on being named Australia's top women's international cricketer for 2017 and the women's Domestic Player of the Year;

(b) notes that:

  (i) Ms Lanning's exceptional form for country and state saw her become the first player to secure both the Belinda Clark Award, having previously won the award in 2014 and 2015, and the women's Domestic Player of the Year,

  (ii) Cricket Australia reports that well over one million Australians are now playing cricket, making it the country's highest participation sport,

  (iii) according to the Gender Balance in Global Sport Report 2016, nearly one of four cricket participants are female, up 20 per cent on the previous year,

  (iv) on the field, participation rates are soaring, but women are still under–represented in coaching roles, on boards, in administration roles and other leadership positions across all sports,

  (v) Cricket Australia has two female board members or 22 per cent of total board members,

  (vi) in 2013, the seven sports that received highest levels of Australian Sports Commission funding – swimming, yachting, rowing, cycling, athletics, hockey and basketball – were required to meet the Mandatory Sports Governance Principles, including 40 per cent of women on boards, and

  (vii) in 2016, only hockey met the 40 per cent target and exceeded the target with 60 per cent female board membership; and

(c) calls on the Government to develop strategies to end the grass ceiling and ensure that all sporting bodies in receipt of federal funding meet a 40 per cent target of female board membership.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) 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.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government of course fully congratulates Meg Lanning on being named Australia's top women's international cricketer for 2017 and the women's domestic player of the year. The government does indeed already have a strategy to increase the female board membership on sporting boards. The top 23 sports funded by the Australian Sports Commission have improved from a 27 per cent average gender balance to a 38 per cent average gender balance from 2013 to 2016. The Australian Sports Commission will continue to pursue the target for all sports and welcomes the commission's new CEO, Kate Palmer.

Question agreed to.