AFL chief government Gillon McLachlan says the league should take a stance on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament as a result of it’s a “community organisation”.
The outgoing boss defended the AFL’s proper to have a place on the referendum marketing campaign, saying it has to look out for its gamers, workers and membership members and has a broader accountability to society.
McLachlan’s feedback come after former prime minister John Howard mentioned sporting our bodies shouldn’t contain themselves in “partisan political debates”.
“For a national or state body to take a position on the Voice is potentially divisive and disturbing to fans and followers,” Mr Howard advised The Australian.
But talking on the launch of the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round, McLachlan mentioned it will be “odd” if the league’s management didn’t specific a view forward of the referendum.
“I think it would be odd for a public organisation that is regarded as a community organisation, that actually has millions of members who come because they feel tribalism and connection, to not understand what the leadership stands for – I’m pretty unequivocal about that,” he mentioned.
The AFL Commission is poised to announce the league’s place on the Voice on the weekend after assembly on Wednesday, with McLachlan saying folks may “join the dots” on the timing of the announcement given the celebration of Indigenous footballers this weekend.
“Let’s see what we actually do, but generally I think that we don’t seek to lecture, we don’t wade into every topic, but for those that are relevant … to our supporter base, and to our people who work for the AFL, the people who are members of clubs, people who come to our games, and our playing group, I think it’s important that leadership actually says this is what we stand for, this is what we think,” McLachlan mentioned.
“I also just hope that we don’t get away from the celebration – our Indigenous athletes are such a special part of the game, and what they bring brings people to their feet.”
McLachlan reiterated his feedback on Friday that he nonetheless thought all events may come collectively for mediation as a part of the Hawthorn racism investigation.
“There is a process that is playing out. I have said publicly it’s taken too long; I think everyone accepts that this needs to come to an end. I’m hopeful that through the mediation process that the parties will be able to come together,” he mentioned.
“I know that there’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes; it’s not easy. I think that more broadly the public commentary generally makes it harder, that path to coming together.
“We want the parties to come together and work through this issue.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
