The Albanese Government has announced an independent review into the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Infrastructure to help guide investment in sporting facilities to ensure the AIS continues to best support high-performance athletes.
The review will be led by Ms Erin Flaherty and Ms Robyn Smith OAM.
The review will look at what facilities the AIS needs to achieve its purpose and deliver on its responsibilities to make sure it can support high performance athletes with a national approach that drives international competitiveness and success at major sporting events.
Those events include the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
It will consider the optimal location for the AIS, the level of investment required, including appropriate accommodation facilities for athletes and staff, and international best practice.
Readiness for athlete use with sufficient lead time for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including infrastructure sector workforce readiness and availability, will also be assessed.
The Albanese Government has been considering the best approach for support of high-performance sport as part of the green and gold runway through to Brisbane 2032 and the AIS is a critical feature of support for our outstanding athletes.
The independent reviewers will be supported by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, with further support from the Department of Health and Aged Care.
The review will provide a report to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and Minister for Aged Care and Sport in late 2023, with options for consideration by government.
The Government intends to release the findings of the review once it has an opportunity to consider them.
The review's terms of reference are set out below.
Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King MP:
"The independent review of the AIS Infrastructure will give the Government a clear-eyed view on priority investment in the AIS in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.
"This is part of a national approach that supports international competitiveness and achieving success at upcoming major sporting events, including the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"Due to the fiscal situation we've found ourselves in after a decade of neglect and mismanagement from the former Government, we will carefully and responsibly consider all of the report's recommendations and advice."
Quotes attributable to Federal Sport Minister Anika Wells MP:
"I welcome this Independent Review of AIS Infrastructure.
The Review and its outcomes will support and enhance Australian sport by providing advice on strategic investment in high performance facilities that align with Australia's High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy."
About the Reviewers:
Erin Flaherty is Chair of the National Intermodal Corporation and sits on the Board of Venues NSW. She has been involved in the development of the NSW Stadia Strategy and has over 30 years' experience in the private and Government sectors, especially in major infrastructure projects.
Robyn Smith OAM is the CEO of Sport Inclusion Australia, on the board of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee and an International Paralympic Committee Governing Board Member at large. She is an advocate for the positive impacts of sport, especially for people who are underrepresented because of disability.
