AFLPA boss Paul Marsh has called on the AFL to involve the AFL Players Association when setting the terms of reference for the promised industry-wide review to ensure a culturally-safe environment exists across clubs and the wider industry.
The AFL indicated they would conduct that review next year when they released the terms of reference for the investigation into allegations of racism at Hawthorn between 2008 and 2016 on October 20.
In a statement announcing the terms of reference AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan had said the work would not end with the investigation.
“This is an incredibly important investigation and once the panel has reported back, we need to come together as an industry and coordinate a much wider response to ensure we have a culturally safe environment across all clubs and within the AFL eco-system,” McLachlan said.
The AFL reaffirmed that initial commitment after they received an open letter from Arnold Bloch Leibler – the firm representing four of the families who contributed to the Hawthorn review into cultural safety at the club – late on Friday which said they would be prepared to participate in the investigation if they were confident the review would occur.
On Tuesday Arnold Bloch Leibler said the families would participate in the investigation but expected the league to detail “how and when it intends to commence this work, the terms of reference, who will undertake it, and if it will be open and transparent to the world.”
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh.Credit:Getty Images
Marsh, who is also involved in negotiating a collective bargaining agreement for the AFL and AFLW in 2023, said they wanted to help set up a process that ensured the league was accountable.
“The AFL Players Association supports the statement from Arnold Bloch Leibler on behalf of the First Nations families they’re representing,” Marsh said.
“As we have said previously, ultimately the decision as to whether the players and their families are involved in the AFL’s process is for the individuals to make and we support their decisions to do so. They have, however only agreed to take part in this process on the basis of the AFL agreeing to a wider industry review and response into racism.
“This position aligns with the AFLPA’s on this matter and we expect to work with the AFL and other key stakeholders inside and outside the industry to determine the appropriate process and terms of reference to ensure accountability to the process and outcomes.”
The AFLPA has an Indigenous Advisory Board while an Indigenous players camp is expected to occur later this year.
Last week Marque Lawyers released a statement on behalf of Amy (a pseudonym), a Gunditjmara and Bunitj woman who alleges “she is the victim of appalling mistreatment by Hawthorn”, detailing why she would not participate in the AFL investigation.
The three men subject to allegations, North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson, Brisbane Lions’ coach Chris Fagan and former Hawthorn welfare officer Jason Burt have denied any wrongdoing in separate statements. All three have returned to work.
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