About time! Senate inquiry into women in sport and recreation in Australia

May 22, 2007 - The Australian Senate called for an inquiry into women in sport and recreation in Australia in March 2006. It is significant that it was a bipartisan inquiry which indicates that all political parties acknowledged that things were not “quite right” in women’s sport. The terms of reference included:

• the health benefits of women participating in sport and recreation
• the accessibility for women of all ages to participate
• the portrayal of women’s sport in the media
• women in leadership roles in sport

It received 88 submissions from organisations and individuals and the parliamentary committee conducted three public hearings in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. The final report, aptly titled “About time!” contains 18 recommendations and can be found at www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/ecita_ctte/womeninsport/report/index.htm. We are eagerly awaiting the response of the Australian government and are looking forward to decisive action.

WomenSport International
P.O. Box 743
Vashon, WA
USA