The Chair of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), John Wylie AM, and the Chair of the Board of Swimming Australia, David Urquhart, have today agreed that
the Hon Warwick Smith AM will be appointed as the independent chair of the Swimming Review Panel.

In addition, the Director of the Australian Institute of Sport, Matthew Favier, will sit on the Panel to provide expert advice and input on the future of high performance for the sport. It is anticipated remaining review panel members will be announced next week.

Following the London Olympic Games, Swimming Australia announced it will review the sport, with a focus on high performance, governance and administration. The review panel will report to Swimming Australia and the ASC.

Mr Wylie noted that ‘The ASC welcomes a review of swimming and considers the review must have sufficient independence to ensure its process and recommendations have credibility with the Australian community. 

‘As a successful businessman, former Federal Sports Minister and former Chair of the ASC, Mr Smith is eminently qualified to oversee this review. Warwick has a deep understanding of both sport and corporate governance and this will complement the technical expertise of other members of the panel. I thank Warwick for agreeing to take on this role and his commitment to Australian sport,’ Mr Wylie said.

The CEO of the ASC, Simon Hollingsworth noted that ‘The Sports Commission takes very seriously the fact that it is investing taxpayer’s money into sports. ASC investment is based on sound evidence, the achievement of agreed outcomes and proof that sports are being administered in a way that uses funding for greatest impact. For swimming, this review will be critical in allowing the ASC Board to make an informed decision on future funding allocations.’

The review will be completed in time to allow the Sports Commission Board to consider funding allocations in early 2013.

The Australian Government, through the ASC, is a key investor in Swimming Australia. In 2011/12 the ASC invested more than $10 million in the sport across both high performance and participation.