Australian Greens spokesperson for sport and health, Senator Richard Di Natale, today launched the Greens policy for a new body that would provide information about sports supplements.

“The Greens care about protecting both Australian sport and the health of our athletes,” said Senator Di Natale

“Both are put at risk when Australian sportspeople become guinea pigs in an uncontrolled pharmacological arms race. That’s why I referred the issue of sports science to a Senate Inquiry, which reported on Tuesday.

 A Greens-initiated Senate Inquiry into the practice of sports science has today reported its findings.

“I referred this issue to a senate inquiry because, as a doctor, I have real concerns for the health and well-being of Australian sportspeople and athletes,” said Greens spokesperson for health and sport, Senator Richard Di Natale, a former GP and VFA footballer.

The Australian Senate today voted in favour of a motion from Greens Senator, Dr Richard Di Natale, to establish an inquiry into sports science.

"The recent doping saga has thrown a light onto the role of sports science in Australian sport, which has exposed some very concerning practices," said Senator Di Natale, Greens spokesperson on health and a former VFA footballer.

Australian Greens spokesperson for sport and health, Senator Richard Di Natale, announced today that he has secured support for a Senate Inquiry into the issue of sports science.

“The ‘whatever it takes’ mentality of Australian sport should not come at the cost of compromising the health of our athletes,” said Dr Di Natale.

“The focus of the current doping scandal has been on whether substances are in breach of the WADA code, but there is a bigger issue at stake here.

Australian Greens spokesperson for sport, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that the Greens cannot support the government’s ASADA bill, which would create new coercive powers.
 
“The Greens are absolutely committed to protecting the integrity of sport but it should not be done at the expense of important legal rights and protections,” said Senator Di Natale, a former VFA footballer.
 

Australian Greens spokesperson for sport, Senator Richard Di Natale, today rejected calls to immediately name individual players involved in doping until the full extent of the involvement of sports clubs and administrators was known.

“We need to stop the witch hunt for individual players embroiled in the doping issue,” said Senator Di Natale, a doctor and former VFA footballer.

“Scapegoating a few individual players might make some people feel better will do little to change what appears to be an institutional problem.

Australian Greens spokesperson for health and sport, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that the AFL Players Association should not water down its three strikes drugs policy.
 
“The AFL Players Association should hold the line on the three strikes policy,” said Senator Di Natale, a former GP who worked in drug and alcohol addiction, and a former VFA player.
 
“The AFL’s drug policy should be primarily about player welfare. I understand that clubs want to get involved early to try and help their players but notifying clubs could actually do more harm than good.

Australian Greens spokesperson for sport and multiculturalism, Senator Richard Di Natale, today called for Peter Norman to be celebrated as part of the Australian story.

“Peter Norman’s story should be celebrated as part of the Australian story.

“Peter Norman was faced with a choice at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and in that moment he decided to take a stand against racism. His brave actions live alongside the likes of Nicky Winmar lifting his jumper and pointing to his skin.

“Unfortunately his story has been ignored in Australia for too long.

Australian Greens spokesperson for Sport, Senator Richard Di Natale, called on the Government today to protect access for fans to quality rugby league matches on Free To Air television, in the wake of the new NRL broadcasting rights deal.

“The Greens want to ensure that the NRL remains easily accessible to its fans, just like the AFL is,” said Senator Richard Di Natale.