Australia’s Federal, State and Territory Ministers have agreed to take a united stance against match fixing to protect the integrity of Australian sport.

Federal Minister for Sport Mark Arbib welcomed the support of his State and Territory colleagues in unanimously agreeing that action was needed to deter people from participating in match fixing and punish anyone who sought to corrupt sport.

'Australia is taking the lead on stamping out match fixing and illegal betting, much as we have on the international stage with issues like drugs in sport,' Senator Arbib said.

'Australian Sports Ministers agree that corruption in sport is an emerging and critical issue facing Australian and international sport and we must work together to tackle the issue.'

The Ministers agreed to develop a National Framework to address match fixing in sport using the following principles:

• supporting a nationally-consistent approach to legislation relating to the criminality of match fixing;
• supporting information sharing and the development of better networks between governments, major sports, betting operators and law enforcers;
• developing a consistent national code of conduct for sport; and
• supporting international efforts to combat corruption in sport including the establishment of an international code of conduct and an international body similar to the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA).

'I will present an outline of the proposed Framework, on behalf of all Australian governments at an International Olympic Committee Seminar on Combating Illegal and Irregular Sports Betting on 1 March, 2011,' Senator Arbib said.

'The Federal Government will continue to work with the representatives of key industry organisations such as the Australian Olympic Committee, major professional and participation sports, the betting industry and law enforcement agencies.'