Following the publication of the review’s final report, the Minister for Sport and Recreation (Minister) directed the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) to consult with affected gymnasts to:
In response to this direction, DLGSC has worked with the Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime within the Department of Justice, WAIS, and the former gymnasts to facilitate a meaningful Restorative and Reconciliatory Process.
The Sport Integrity Australia report included 4 recommendations, which WAIS have committed to implementing. One of these recommendations was that WAIS should engage in a Restorative and Reconciliatory Process.
The Restorative and Reconciliatory Process provides participants the opportunity to describe the impact of the WAG Program on their lives and receive an apology. Nominated and trained members of the WAIS Board will deliver the apology facilitated by an independent mediator. This process is available to all WAG Program participants.
More information about the process can be found on the Department of Justice website.
The WA Government has also established a scheme to provide an acknowledgement payment of $15,000 to former WAG gymnasts who experienced physical or emotional harm while competing or training to represent WAIS at a national championship level. Over the course of the program, these athletes were variably described as scholarship holders, elite or competition squad members, and trained or competed at a junior or senior international level.
The application process for the acknowledgement payment will be open from 29 May 2024 until 31 August 2024. Payments to eligible applicants will be made in September 2024.
If you experienced sexual abuse as a child while in the care of an institution, including WAIS, you can apply to the National Redress Scheme.
For more information on how to apply to the National Redress Scheme, please contact the child abuse support service knowmore or call 1800 605 762.
Information about the Restorative and Reconciliatory Process, the Acknowledgement Payment Scheme, and access to counselling support, is available on the Department of Justice website.
For more information about the DLGSC’s actions in response to the Sport Integrity Australia report, please contact childsafeguarding@dlgsc.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9492 9660.
Following the 2022 Sport Integrity Australia review, the Minister for Sport and Recreation directed DLGSC to conduct a review of WAIS’ safeguarding governance and culture.
The Athlete Safeguarding Governance and Culture Review of WAIS commenced in November 2023.
DLGSC appointed KPMG Australia to perform the review, which will be conducted in accordance with the Terms of reference - Athlete Safeguarding Governance and Culture Review of the Western Australian Institute of Sport, agreed between DLGSC and WAIS.
It will also consider WAIS policies and procedures in relation to athlete safeguarding, governance, oversight, culture and complaints handling.
Formal consultation concluded on 9 February 2024. KPMG is currently working to analyse the information collected and develop a final report.
Through the process of consultation, stakeholders were engaged in a range of ways, including cultural perception surveys, in-person and virtual consultation sessions, and focus groups. Eligible participants were current or former (within the past 5 years):
KPMG will provide a final report to DLGSC at the completion of the review.
If you’d like to speak to KPMG or have any questions about your involvement in the Review, please contact KPMG at safeguardingreview@kpmg.com.au
For enquiries and further information regarding the review, please contact DLGSC at childsafeguarding@dlgsc.wa.gov.au