Sport

Information on the development of a stronger and internationally competitive Australian sports sector and encouragement of greater participation in sport by all Australians.

The Australian Government is committed to supporting sport, particularly at the community level, and increasing Australians’ participation in physical and recreational activities to promote physical and mental health. This commitment contributes to a competitive and clean Australian sports sector, based on excellence, integrity and leadership, and encourages greater participation in sport by all Australians.

The Australian Government aims to meet this commitment by establishing a best practice anti-doping framework and by developing the Australian sports system to support excellence in high performance and enhance grassroots participation.

The major activities and key directions in 2008-09 are:

• Work to improve rates of participation in sport and physical activity, including efforts to improve water and snow safety.
• Support sport and recreation infrastructure and facilities.
• Ensure national anti-doping efforts continue to reflect the World Anti-Doping Program, the internationally accepted framework for anti-doping.
• Increase the active participation of Indigenous Australians in sport and physical recreation activities.
• Support sport agencies, the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Sport Anti-Doping Authority, in improving Australia’s sporting competitiveness and integrity.