Australia’s Sports Ministers today reached an historic agreement to address match-fixing and protect the integrity of sport.

Federal Minister for Sport Mark Arbib said the National Policy on Match-Fixing in Sport would provide the foundation for all Australian governments to work with sports and betting companies to deter and deal with corruption in sport.

Key features of the policy are:

• Agreement to pursue nationally consistent legislative arrangements; 
  
• Legal arrangements and integrity agreements between sports and betting companies which will include requirements to share information, provide sports with a right to veto bet types and provide a financial return from sports betting to sports;
  
• The adoption of codes of conduct by sports; 
  
• The establishment of a National Integrity of Sport Unit to oversee the national arrangements and provide support for smaller sports; and
  
• That Government funding will be contingent on sports implementing appropriate anti-match-fixing and anti-corruption policies and practices.

'This is an outstanding result for sport. I am pleased that all Australia’s governments are presenting a united front against the scourge of match-fixing,' Senator Arbib said.

'The only way we can deal with this threat is by working together to ensure we have a national policy underpinned by legislation, codes of conduct and industry standards.

'Today’s was an important meeting. The Australian Crime Commission gave Sports Ministers a detailed briefing about the impact of organised crime internationally and the potential impact on the Australian economy and our sports.

'The Crime Commission advised that currently in Australia its concern was for individual athletes and sports, rather than the sports industry as a whole. But as betting volumes increase, sport is vulnerable to organised crime, to launder money and conceal illegal activity.

'Ministers recognise that the most important thing is for Australian sports lovers to have confidence that our sports are played fairly and that all players are giving their best.'

In bringing forward this proposal, Minister Arbib acknowledged the essential input of Australia’s leading sports and betting companies.

'I want to thank all of the sports which have contributed to this policy and had input into its formation, particularly the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS) through Malcolm Speed and the Australian Olympic Committee through John Coates,' Senator Arbib said.

'I also received great cooperation from the betting companies which acknowledge the impact corruption could have on sport.

'I would also like to thank my Ministerial colleagues from across Australia for their commitment to this issue.'

Minister Arbib said a working party would now develop a detailed implementation plan for Sports Ministers to consider in three months.

'The next step is for the Attorneys General to begin work on the nationally consistent legislative arrangements, when they next meet in July.'