Minister for Sport Kate Lundy today released the Australian Government’s response to the Review into Cycling Australia conducted by the Hon James Wood AO QC.
 
“The Government supports all the recommendations in Mr Wood’s Report and expects Cycling Australia, in conjunction with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), to implement these reforms before the end of the year,” Senator Lundy said.

“Implementing the full suite of recommendations will go some way towards restoring public confidence in Cycling Australia and ensure cycling is governed with the highest integrity.

“The Review maps out a route to safeguard the future direction of cycling in Australia and outlines the practices Cycling Australia must put in place to ensure it is able to deliver improved anti-doping policies and systems.

“The recommendations from the Review provide a clear path for governance reforms and will drive positive change at Cycling Australia.”

The Review outlines 17 recommendations for Cycling Australia, including:
 
•         Upgrading governance structures;
•         Building anti-doping accountability and networks;
•         Establishing an ethics and integrity panel;
•         Improving anti-doping education;
•         Extending the reach of testing; and
•         Developing stronger sanction regimes.
 
Senator Lundy said in line with the Government’s expectations, the Review’s recommendations should be implemented by the end of the year with the ASC, ASADA and the National Integrity in Sport Unit working closely with Cycling Australia to put in place the necessary reforms.

“The Government expects Cycling Australia to act immediately to strengthen its governance and anti-doping arrangements and also to make improvements in areas such as the promotion of women’s cycling in Australia,” Senator Lundy said.
 
Ongoing funding from the Australian Government will be reviewed in light of Cycling Australia’s progress in responding to the recommendations. A full copy of the Australian Government’s response is available online, at: http://www.regional.gov.au/sport/resources/reports/australian-government-reponse-to-review-cycling-australia.aspx