Released 02/04/2019
The Controlled Sports Act 2019, passed today by the Legislative Assembly, brings ACT legislation up to date with the evolution of different combat sports and provides a framework to evolve further with these sports in future.
Recent years have seen Canberrans embrace a diverse array of sports as both spectators and participants, from more traditional boxing through to Muay Thai and mixed martial arts.
This has brought benefits to participants through social inclusion and improved physical fitness, as well as commercial opportunities for local promoters and venues.
Equally, the government has an obligation to ensure safety and integrity across the sporting landscape and these priorities form the focus of the new Act.
The Act makes a key distinction between registrable and non-registrable events.
Non-registrable events will largely capture participation-level sports where a controlled sports registrar will register a controlled sports body (typically a national sporting organisation) with oversight for these events, meaning little to no impact on participants for example in beginner martial arts.
Registrable events (typically commercial, ticketed events) will attract a range of new oversight mechanisms including:
- expanded safety and medical requirements including annual medical screenings for contestants, pre-event medical screenings to ensure contestants are fit to compete, compulsory medical equipment at events and robust medical reporting requirements
- an application and registration process for contestants, officials and promoters including background checks, clear safety and integrity guidelines for industry and an updated industry code of practice
- inspection and compliance functions.
In recent years it has become clear that the Boxing Control Act 1993 no longer effectively regulates the full span of combat sports which are popular in both participation and commercial settings.
After extensive consultation and research over a number of years, passage of the Controlled Sports Act 2019 will bring the ACT into line with other regulating jurisdictions.
The ACT Government recognises the great work many in the combat sports sector do to maximise safety and we appreciate their input into this legislation.
We have also been conscious of the need to balance safety and integrity priorities with the privacy and human rights of contestants and officials.
The ACT Government understands that in the wider community there are differing views on participation in combat sports. However, it is clear that our community wants to see combat sports effectively regulated to ensure the safety and wellbeing of participants, and to maintain the highest possible standards in the industry.
The Controlled Sports Act 2019 will take affect from the end of August 2019 and the government will consult further in the lead up to this date.
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases
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