Victoria’s workplace safety watchdog is investigating the Hawthorn Football Club after a cultural safety review included allegations First Nations players were subjected to racism and controlling behaviour.
WorkSafe has contacted Hawthorn, with investigators having conducted several virtual meetings. From Monday, inspectors will visit the AFL team’s Waverley Park Stadium headquarters in Mulgrave.
WorkSafe’s executive director of health and safety, Dr Narelle Beer, confirmed in a statement that the regulator had commenced an investigation.
“WorkSafe is urging anyone who experienced or witnessed health and safety concerns at Hawthorn Football Club to contact WorkSafe to make a statement,” she said.
“WorkSafe takes allegations of workplace bullying and discrimination very seriously and can take enforcement action when employers fail to protect the mental health of those in their workplace.”
“Every Victorian worker, no matter their cultural background, has the right to a healthy and safe workplace.”
A cultural safety review commissioned by Hawthorn contained testimonies from former players and their partners about their time at the club between 2010 and 2016, alleging they were forced to separate from each other. One Indigenous player alleged he was told that his partner had to terminate her pregnancy.
“WorkSafe is urging anyone who experienced or witnessed health and safety concerns at Hawthorn Football Club to contact WorkSafe.”
– Dr Narelle Beer
Former Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson and former football manager Chris Fagan – the two men facing accusations of racism from their time at Hawthorn – have denied any wrongdoing and have taken a leave of absence from their current roles.
Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett took aim at those who leaked the report at the club’s best and fairest, saying he hoped it could be “resolved quickly by all parties involved”.
Jeff Kennett, President of the Hawthorn Football Club, earlier this year. Credit:AFL Photos
“It was a storytelling where those telling the stories asked for confidentiality. We respected that. Sadly, they made a decision to talk to the press, and in talking to the press they named people with whom they had very real issues. That was unfair to those people,” he said.
“So, therefore, we need to have this resolved. But, please, I don’t see this as a crisis. I know this club, I know its history and I know its strength. We will deal with this and assist in any way we can.”
