Parliament to investigate high risk combat sports management in QLD

The Palaszczuk Government today called for a Parliamentary Inquiry into management options for high risk combat sports contests in Queensland, following the deaths of two young boxers in Queensland and New South Wales last year.

“I believe it’s incumbent on any responsible government to consider a range of management models, including regulatory frameworks, to better promote participant health and safety of the industry,” said Treasurer and Minister for Sport Curtis Pitt.

“All Australian jurisdictions – except Queensland and the Northern Territory – have legislated to regulate combat sports in some form, so there are plenty of existing structures operating in other jurisdictions which our Parliamentary Inquiry will be able to examine and review.

“Today I tasked the Finance and Administration Committee with investigating the potential costs, benefits and effectiveness of a range of contest management options, including voluntary standards of practice or regulation.

“The Committee was also asked to call for public submissions and consult with key stakeholders and peak industry bodies – including representatives from a range of combat sports codes, disciplines and organisations, combatants, contest promoters and experts on sports injuries and fatalities.

“Our focus is on the future of the industry and improving the safety of participants involved in contests which are considered high risk.”

The Parliamentary Finance and Administration Committee has been tasked to:

1. Consider and report on how to improve health and safety outcomes for combat sports contestants in high risk professional and amateur contests in Queensland, while considering at least the following options:

     a. Continue with the existing combat sports industry self-regulation;

     b. Implement a voluntary standard of practice to supplement the existing combat sports industry self-regulation;

     c. an examination of Queensland’s existing legislative framework and whether this could be utilised to give effect to the health and safety outcomes being sought;  and

     d. Enact specific sports contest legislation with an associated statutory enforcement regime.

2. The potential costs and benefits of the options to improve health and safety outcomes for combat sports contestants, including the cost/benefit of frameworks in other jurisdictions; and

3. The current structure and governance of the combat sport industry, as it supports health and safety outcomes for combat sports contestants including effectiveness of the current governing body structure; and State-wide service delivery and representation through existing governing bodies. 

The committee’s report is due back to the Queensland Parliament in December.

Contact:  0419 945 546