Hon B.M. Scott asks about the government's policy on pregnant women in sport following a report on a netball ban. Hon G.T. Giffard acknowledges existing guidelines and defers the second part of the question.

AnsweredQoN 250Legislative Council
Asked
21 June 2001
Portfolio
Sport and Recreation

QuestionView source ↗

I refer the minister to the report in The West Australian of 19 June titled “Storm at netball ban on pregnant women”. (1) Does the Government have a policy on pregnant women in sport? (2) How does the Government plan to address this issue? Hon G.T. GIFFARD

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question.  Some notice was given of the first part of the question, for which I have an answer.  I ask that the second question be placed on notice and I will provide an answer to it in due course. (1) There are some concerns that Netball Australia may be in breach of antidiscrimination laws; nevertheless, pregnancy and sport is a serious matter.  The Australian Sports Commission has established guidelines on pregnancy and sport that are supported by Sport and Recreation WA.  The minister has been advised that Sport and Recreation WA states that expert medical advice should be sought on the risks involved in each situation.  All officials, coaches and administrators should be made aware of the situation and should work together to ensure a duty of care.  Ultimately, once expert medical advice has been sought, it is the mother’s responsibility to assess and decide whether the risks have the potential to harm her and the unborn baby.
(1) Does the Government have a policy on pregnant women in sport? (2) How does the Government plan to address this issue? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question.  Some notice was given of the first part of the question, for which I have an answer.  I ask that the second question be placed on notice and I will provide an answer to it in due course. (1) There are some concerns that Netball Australia may be in breach of antidiscrimination laws; nevertheless, pregnancy and sport is a serious matter.  The Australian Sports Commission has established guidelines on pregnancy and sport that are supported by Sport and Recreation WA.  The minister has been advised that Sport and Recreation WA states that expert medical advice should be sought on the risks involved in each situation.  All officials, coaches and administrators should be made aware of the situation and should work together to ensure a duty of care.  Ultimately, once expert medical advice has been sought, it is the mother’s responsibility to assess and decide whether the risks have the potential to harm her and the unborn baby.
(2) How does the Government plan to address this issue? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question.  Some notice was given of the first part of the question, for which I have an answer.  I ask that the second question be placed on notice and I will provide an answer to it in due course. (1) There are some concerns that Netball Australia may be in breach of antidiscrimination laws; nevertheless, pregnancy and sport is a serious matter.  The Australian Sports Commission has established guidelines on pregnancy and sport that are supported by Sport and Recreation WA.  The minister has been advised that Sport and Recreation WA states that expert medical advice should be sought on the risks involved in each situation.  All officials, coaches and administrators should be made aware of the situation and should work together to ensure a duty of care.  Ultimately, once expert medical advice has been sought, it is the mother’s responsibility to assess and decide whether the risks have the potential to harm her and the unborn baby.
Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question.  Some notice was given of the first part of the question, for which I have an answer.  I ask that the second question be placed on notice and I will provide an answer to it in due course. (1) There are some concerns that Netball Australia may be in breach of antidiscrimination laws; nevertheless, pregnancy and sport is a serious matter.  The Australian Sports Commission has established guidelines on pregnancy and sport that are supported by Sport and Recreation WA.  The minister has been advised that Sport and Recreation WA states that expert medical advice should be sought on the risks involved in each situation.  All officials, coaches and administrators should be made aware of the situation and should work together to ensure a duty of care.  Ultimately, once expert medical advice has been sought, it is the mother’s responsibility to assess and decide whether the risks have the potential to harm her and the unborn baby.
I thank the member for some notice of this question.  Some notice was given of the first part of the question, for which I have an answer.  I ask that the second question be placed on notice and I will provide an answer to it in due course. (1) There are some concerns that Netball Australia may be in breach of antidiscrimination laws; nevertheless, pregnancy and sport is a serious matter.  The Australian Sports Commission has established guidelines on pregnancy and sport that are supported by Sport and Recreation WA.  The minister has been advised that Sport and Recreation WA states that expert medical advice should be sought on the risks involved in each situation.  All officials, coaches and administrators should be made aware of the situation and should work together to ensure a duty of care.  Ultimately, once expert medical advice has been sought, it is the mother’s responsibility to assess and decide whether the risks have the potential to harm her and the unborn baby.
(1) There are some concerns that Netball Australia may be in breach of antidiscrimination laws; nevertheless, pregnancy and sport is a serious matter.  The Australian Sports Commission has established guidelines on pregnancy and sport that are supported by Sport and Recreation WA.  The minister has been advised that Sport and Recreation WA states that expert medical advice should be sought on the risks involved in each situation.  All officials, coaches and administrators should be made aware of the situation and should work together to ensure a duty of care.  Ultimately, once expert medical advice has been sought, it is the mother’s responsibility to assess and decide whether the risks have the potential to harm her and the unborn baby.

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