Any person or organisation may submit a complaint by completing the complaint form and submitting it to Sport Integrity Australia as soon as reasonably possible following the alleged breach. If a person is making the complaint, it can be submitted by their parent or guardian. If the complaint is being submitted by an organisation, the complaint must be made by the CEO or equivalent, that is to say the most senior person. Importantly, a complaint cannot be submitted anonymously.

Once Sport Integrity Australia receive the complaint they will assess whether the allegations fall within the scope of the National Integrity Framework.

The are some things that are not covered by the National Integrity Framework and get handled elsewhere, such as matters concerning selection disputes, breaches of a code of conduct or misconduct during a race. If the matter is out of scope it may be referred to an appropriate body and there may be no further action on Sport Integrity Australia’s part.

Matters that fall within the scope of the National Integrity Framework will be assessed. The purpose of the assessment is to see if it should be referred to an external organisation or an alternate resolution process.

• An external referral may involve a law enforcement agency, government or regulatory authority or child protection agency. In this case Sport Integrity Australia may suspend the complaints process pending the external organisation’s decision. If the complaint is not resolved by the external referral organisation Sport Integrity Australia may resume the process.
• Sport Integrity Australia may refer the complainant and the respondent to an alternative dispute resolution process and direct Australian Sailing’s Complaints Manager to coordinate the process. An alternative resolution process may include mediation or conciliation, as examples. However if either the complainant or respondent declines to participate in the alternative resolution process the complaint will be handed back to Sport Integrity Australia, who will resume the process.

When Sport Integrity Australia are handling a complaint they will look to substantiate it and make a finding.

• If they cannot, there will be no further action.
• In the case of a finding being made there may be a breach notice and possible sanctions. There is a fair process that is used before any sanctions are made. Respondents to complaints that are substantiated may have recourse to a hearing tribunal and appeal.

There are sensible limitations on how complaints are made. Where a complainant makes unreasonable demands or behaves unreasonably, Sport Integrity Australia may minimise its dealings with the person or organisation. Unreasonable behaviours might include raising the same issues, which have previously been reported, without presenting new evidence. Unreasonable persistence regarding outcomes, or demands relating to timeframes for resolutions might be subject to that discretion. Being rude, aggressive, or abusive towards Sport Integrity Australia or Australian Sailing staff won’t be accepted.

Ultimately the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy and process behind it is a collaboration between Australian Sailing, Sport Integrity Australia and the National Sports Tribunal that will provide an independent, transparent, and fair complaint management system for all involved in sailing.

Complaints can be submitted to Sport Integrity Australia here.
The National Integrity Framework and its policies are here.
An online induction about the National Integrity Framework and its policies can be done here.

For further information please contact glen.stanaway@sailing.org.au.