❓ Mr. Watson questions Netball WA's decision to charge volunteer fees. The Minister responds that the government respects the autonomy of sporting organisations and has received an explanation from Netball WA.
AnsweredQoN 349Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
NETBALL WA — VOLUNTEER FEES
349. Mr P.B. WATSON to the Minister for
Sport and Recreation:
I refer to Netball WA's decision to charge
community-level coaches, team managers and other local volunteers a $45 fee.
(1) Has the
minister made contact with Netball WA to request that it explain why it feels
volunteers should be charged for their services to local netball competition;
and if not, why not?
(2) Does the
minister support Netball WA's decision to charge its volunteers these
fees when other codes including basketball and football do not?
349. Mr P.B. WATSON to the Minister for
Sport and Recreation:
I refer to Netball WA's decision to charge
community-level coaches, team managers and other local volunteers a $45 fee.
(1) Has the
minister made contact with Netball WA to request that it explain why it feels
volunteers should be charged for their services to local netball competition;
and if not, why not?
(2) Does the
minister support Netball WA's decision to charge its volunteers these
fees when other codes including basketball and football do not?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for the question. In answer to the first part of the question,
yes, my office and the department have spoken with Netball WA, and I have met
with it several times, not in relation to that matter specifically, but we have
followed up, because we were also concerned, and obviously there were some
reports in the media. It gave us an explanation. Before I say anything else,
the member would be aware, having had an involvement with the sporting industry
for a long time, that from the state government's perspective, sport
runs sport. This is a decision by Netball WA and it was made in consultation
with its members. I understand that in any community organisation there will be
people who agree with decisions made by the decision-making body and those who
do not.
Mr
D.A. Templeman interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Mandurah!
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : Netball WA provided us with an explanation and said it had
gone through a consultation process. Various sporting clubs make decisions
about how they cover their costs and in this case Netball WA has chosen to
apply those costs that way. Like I said, it is the state government's
view that sport runs sport, and so we, as the department, are there to provide
support, but that question should be directed to the organisation itself.
thank the member for the question. In answer to the first part of the question,
yes, my office and the department have spoken with Netball WA, and I have met
with it several times, not in relation to that matter specifically, but we have
followed up, because we were also concerned, and obviously there were some
reports in the media. It gave us an explanation. Before I say anything else,
the member would be aware, having had an involvement with the sporting industry
for a long time, that from the state government's perspective, sport
runs sport. This is a decision by Netball WA and it was made in consultation
with its members. I understand that in any community organisation there will be
people who agree with decisions made by the decision-making body and those who
do not.
Mr
D.A. Templeman interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Mandurah!
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : Netball WA provided us with an explanation and said it had
gone through a consultation process. Various sporting clubs make decisions
about how they cover their costs and in this case Netball WA has chosen to
apply those costs that way. Like I said, it is the state government's
view that sport runs sport, and so we, as the department, are there to provide
support, but that question should be directed to the organisation itself.
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