By Greg Blood

The return of the Albanese government has led to the reappointment of Anika Wells as the Minister for Sport and new Minister for Communications and the move of sport functions to Dept. of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts. This article reflects on these changes from an historical and future perspective.

Reappointment of Minister Anika Wells

Albanese government made limited changes to the previous ministry due to their current agenda and resignation of only several previous ministers. The reappointment of Wells brings continuity to sport. History of previous Ministers for Sport highlights many only held the position for 1 to 2 years. Rod Kemp (Coalition) and John Brown (ALP) lasted five and four years respectively. Wells can continue to progress the Albanese government’s agenda on sport particularly around “play well” and “win well” philosophies.

Besides sport in the previous Albanese government, Wells was responsible for transforming the aged care sector. She now takes on communications functions which must tackle proposed restrictions to gambling advertising and social media for children and youth. These issues will need to be handled deftly due to many strong lobby groups. In particular, current gambling advertising assists major professional sports through sponsorships and media companies using this revenue to acquire sport broadcast rights from major professional sports.

Sport Portfolio History

Since sport became an important federal government function in 1972, it has been placed under a wide range of departments. The list below highlights sport journey.

• 1972 – 1975: Tourism and Recreation
• 1976 – 1978: Environment, Housing and Community Development
• 1978/79 – 1979/80: Home Affairs
• 1980/81 – 1981/82: Home Affairs and Environment
• 1982/83 – 1986/87: Sport, Recreation and Tourism
• 1987/88 – 1991/92: Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories
• 1992/93 – 1996/97: Environment, Sport and Territories
• 1997/98: Industry, Science and Tourism
• 1998/99 – 2000/01: Industry, Science and Resources
• 2001/02 – 2007/08: Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
• 2008/09 – 2009/10: Health and Aging
• 2010/11: Prime Minister and Cabinet
• 2011/12 – 2012/13: Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
• 2013/14 – 2025: Health and Aged Care

(Source: Clearinghouse for Sport – Australian Sport Policy)

In 2008/2009, sport was incorporated in Dept of Health. Many believed this move would benefit sport as it would be seen as part of government’s preventive health strategies. It returned to Dept of Health in 2013/14 under the Abbott government. Sport funding increased under both Coalition and ALP governments whilst under the Dept. of Health. However, there was not a significant increase in funding to sport participation compared to high performance sport. Historically, it is still by far the poor cousin to high performance sport.

The Albanese government’s primary sport delivery agency – the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) did attempt to move more in the preventive health space with the ‘Move It‘ campaign in 2018. However, this campaign with similarities to “Life. Be in it” did not last long. ASC has now moved to the “Play Well Strategy” that aims to connect national sport and recreation organisations across Australia and provides grants for participation programs.

So why move sport functions to a department primarily concerned with infrastructure, regional development and communications ? In my view, Minister Wells will be dealing with more complex issues related these departmental functions – gambling advertising and sport infrastructure than health outcomes.

Second Term Albanese Government Issues

1. Gambling Advertising Legislation

The appointment of Wells as the Minister of Communications will lead her to managing legislation related to gambling advertising. Wells brings a good understanding of sport to the decision making but professional sports and media organisations have lobbied strongly for limited restrictions due to the significant impact on their revenue base. In many ways, this issue reminds me of the decision to ban tobacco advertising – sport rallied against the ban – Hawke government provided some limited funding to compensate for the ban. However, those were the days of poorly paid athletes and small broadcast deals. It appears the community are in favour of restrictions on gambling advertising. Will the Albanese Government be required to provide some level of financial compensation top sport for restrictions?

2. Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics

Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics major facility projects will proceed at a faster rate now that the Queensland Government has released its facility plan. In February 2023. the Albanese Government committed  $2.5 billion for the Brisbane Arena development. In addition, sixteen new or upgraded venues would be funded to $1.87 billion in co-funding on a 50/50 basis between the two governments. However, with the Brisbane Arena being taken out of the plan – will there now be a battle between the Albanese and Queensland governments in what facilities should be funded?

Minister Wells is the only federal government minister on the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  The Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics highlighted the extensive involvement of the Howard government in the operation of the Games. Howard government had a Minister assisting the Prime Minister for the Sydney 2000 Games (Warwick Smith 1996-1997, Andrew Thomson (1997-1998), Jackie Kelly 1998-2001).  Besides sport facilities and infrastructure funding, the Albanese government will be required to assist in funding and expertise for security, transport and immigration. Minister Wells will be required to help navigate the many issues that will arise in the lead up to her hometown Games.

3. Australian Institute of Sport Revitalisation Project

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works approved the AIS Revitalisation Project valued at  $249.7 funding in March 2025. The original plan was changed to maintain the original accommodation building and the relocation of new facilities on the site to manage costs and timelines. As with all construction projects, Minister Wells will need to oversee this project in terms of funding and construction deadlines to ensure the upgraded facilities can be utilised in the years leading up to the 2032 Brisbane Games.

The Minister Wells may also need to be involved in the future developments related to the Canberra Stadium and the AIS Arena. There has been pressure for the Australian Government to transfer these facilities and/or land to the ACT Government.

4. Community Sport Facility Funding

The Morrisson government kick started a new level of investment in community sport facilities with its Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program (CSIGP) – $102.4 million over three years. The availability and suitability of community sport facilities are an important requirement for maintaining and increasing sport participation. But this program led to the resignation of the Minister for Sport Bridget McKenzie and raised questions regarding selection processes.

The Albanese government provided further funding through its $200 million  Play Our Way program. The Coalition had a similar policy in the lead up to 2025 federal election. It appears both major parties now have an ongoing commitment to funding community sport facilities. The basis of this commitment is the need to improve facilities for women and girls and address climatic issues – flooding, drought and heat on the use of facilities.

The transfer of sport functions to the department managing infrastructure may provide the ASC with improved access to administrative expertise in reviewing and managing community sport facility grants. The Albanese government has over 125 community sport election commitments to fulfill after successfully retaining government.  These commitments have issues in terms funding not being adequate to meet the new or upgraded community sport facility requirements. In recent years, the refurbishment of community swimming pools has led to cost overruns. There is a $16 million commitment to upgrade the Bega Valley War Memorial Swimming Pool – will this be adequate?

5. High Performance Funding

Albanese government increased high performance funding in the lead up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and Paralympics. There will be pressure towards the end of the next term of government to increase funding to national sports organisations (NSOs) for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics. NSOs will be lobbying for “certainty” in funding to assist in their planning for 2032. These organisations had certainty in the lead up to 2000 Games with the Olympic and Paralympic Athlete Program (1994-2000).

6. Australian Sports Commission Act 1989 Updating

The review of the Australian Sports Commission Act 1989 was on the Minister’s previous agenda. Revised legislation will need to be presented in the new term of government in ensure the Act reflects changes in governance and sport functions of the ASC. It is unlikely to be controversial legislation.

7. International Relations

Prior to the 2025 Federal election, the Albanese government released  Australia’s Sports Diplomacy Strategy 2032+ and announced, $600 million in funding over ten years for NRL Papua New Guinea team. It is likely that these announcements will be primarily managed by the Dept. of Foreign Affairs & Trade with some input from sport.

Summary

The reappointment of Minister Wells provides continuity and a Minister with good relationships with the sport sector and an awareness of issues. In the next term, Minister Wells will become well versed in overseeing major sport facility projects and funding issues surrounding professional sports and Olympic and Paralympic sports. It will be interesting to see how sport fares in its new mega dept. If Wells remains as Minister for Sport for the full term, she is likely to take over from Rod Kemp as the longest serving minister.