In 2017, the Royal Comission uncovered serious allegations of child sexual abuse and cover-ups within Australian sport, leading to the National Redress Scheme offering compensation to victims of abuse.
However, Gymnastics Australia — one of the key organisations investigated by the Royal Commission — has still not joined the National Redress Scheme. Now, a petition from Athlete Rights Australia (ARA) is pressuring Gymnastics Australia to join the scheme, as thousands of other organisations have.
“Many organisations with far fewer children in their sport have signed on,” Alison Quigly, a former gymnast and director of the ARA, said.
“It baffles me why Gymnastics Australia, although making a generalised apology for the abuse that occurred on its watch in the last five decades, did not follow through with tangible measures like redress.”
“We need answers. It’s effectively had four years to sign on. It has claimed to lead the way in child safety, yet it cannot fulfil a basic mandate like this. It’s an insult to the survivor community.”
The petition is currently restricted to Australian residents and citizens, but the ARA aims to bring international focus to the situation. The ARA is also looking into political pathways, and a parliamentary petition is currently tabled in parliament. It has the potential to be raised as an issue for political parties to debate.
“If delays continue, the Government can withdraw funding to the organisation, amounting to several million dollars,” Alison said.
“For two years now, Gymnastics Australia has been saying it is onboard with the redress scheme. How could it take this long to act?”
