The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
Times Media

.

the AFL turns away from truth-telling again, ending Hawthorn investigation

  • Written by Matthew Klugman, Research Fellow, Institute for Health & Sport, member of the Community, Identity and Displacement Research Network, and Co-convenor of the Olympic Research Network, Victoria University

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains mention of the Stolen Generations.

On April 18, a Ngarra Jarra Noun Healing Ceremony was held to mark the 30th anniversary of the most famous response to racism in the Australian Football League – the moment Noongar man Nicky Winmar lifted his top, pointed to his skin and declared that he was Black and proud[1]. The Indigenous-led ceremony was a deeply moving instance of community care, love and solidarity.

Tuesday’s announcement by the AFL of the termination of the investigation[2] into allegations of racism at Hawthorn was the antithesis of such healing.

After eight months of an inquiry there are “no adverse findings[3]” against former coaches Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan, and ex-welfare manager Jason Burt. (Clarkson, Fagan and Burt have all strenuously denied any wrongdoing[4].)

The outcome is at once shocking and not surprising of a league that still refuses to make any attempts to redress the systemic racism that remains a foundational aspect of Australian Rules football.

The Age reports[5] that the complainants at the centre of the allegations are preparing to take their cases to the Australian Human Rights Commission. The AFL has also hinted it may charge Hawthorn[6] with bringing the game into disrepute over its handling of the internal report.

Read more: As the 2022 AFLM season comes to a close, the game must ask itself some difficult questions – especially on racism[7]

Sorry timing

It’s hard not to be cynical about the release of this news after the conclusion of the Sir Doug Nicholls “Indigenous round”, and Sorry Day. Only after the celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander players and culture, and the commemoration of Indigenous children stolen from their families, did the AFL announce it was ending its investigation.

Indeed, the claims at the centre of the investigation resonate disturbingly with the histories of stealing Indigenous children and associated genocidal actions in the lands of this continent and the surrounding islands.

Namely, the allegations that Hawthorn officials actively sought to separate Indigenous players from their partners, pressured them to break up and in at least one instance allegedly pushed a couple to terminate a pregnancy for the sake of the player’s career[8], according to reporting by the ABC.

If the allegations are true, it could be argued the Hawthorn officials who were involved thought they were acting in the “best interests” of the players.

However, the theft of children, including Doug Nicholls’ sister[9], was frequently justified in such terms. As was the tearing apart of Indigenous families and placing them in reserves for their own “protection”.

Clarkson and Fagan in August 2015.
Clarkson and Fagan in August 2015. Julian Smith/AAP

To break Indigenous couples up, to remove Indigenous players from their cultural support and to then place these players in houses with only white people – all of these would be heinous acts if true, and can be understood as a form of cultural genocide. That is, acts of “assimilation” that destroy[10] the relationships, connections and practices which allow people to continue to be part of a broader cultural group.

How could the AFL not wish to find out the truth of the matter when the allegations concern such egregious conduct?

The AFL claims it shut down the investigation in accordance with the wishes of the players willing to participate in the inquiry. But after eight months, these players had not even been interviewed[11].

Outgoing AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan also claimed that the defendants had been “cleared” and the complainants “feel heard”. Yet, their voices were starkly missing from the AFL’s announcement.

(Not) listening to Indigenous voices

On March 17, the AFL announced it supported the “Yes” vote for the forthcoming referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, stating:

The AFL is privileged to have a long history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in our game, from the grassroots in every state and territory, through to the AFL and AFLW competitions.

Yet, in electing to set up its own investigation into the allegations of racism at Hawthorn, the AFL was clearly going against the voices of key Indigenous women at the centre of these allegations. They had called for an inquiry that was fully independent of the AFL[12].

And in declaring Clarkson, Fagan and Burt to have been cleared – without even having interviewed the players participating in the inquiry – the AFL is ignoring the voices of players and partners who have spoken out publicly, as recently as this past weekend[13].

Such behaviour is similar to that of the colonial governments on this land who have still not implemented most of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, and who continue to remove Indigenous children from their families[14] and incarcerate Indigenous kids and adults at ever-increasing rates[15].

The erasure of Indigenous women’s voices and experiences is also emblematic of life on this continent. Indigenous women in Australia are eight times more likely to be murdered[16] than non-Indigenous women, yet the violence they experience receives far less attention.

Truth-telling

McLachlan’s tenure as CEO of the AFL has been marked by a stream of scandals regarding racism[17], yet he has never opened up the whole league to full independent scrutiny regarding past and present racism.

What’s clearly needed is for the AFL to engage in a full process of truth-telling. The AFL Players Association is the most recent group to note that the AFL’s investigation into Hawthorn was “not truly independent[18]”.

Colonial institutions cannot be relied upon to provide justice when investigating themselves. The lack of even one conviction[19] related to the more than 500 Indigenous deaths in custody since the Royal Commission published its findings and recommendations is testament to that.

Instead, a form of truth-telling overseen by an independent Indigenous-run organisation is paramount. The Yoorook Justice Commission[20] – set up to examine the “impacts of colonisation on First Peoples in Victoria” – is an excellent model of what such a process could look like.

Incoming AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has proclaimed he is not part of a (white) boys club[21]. A test of this claim lies in whether he is willing to take the necessary steps to help turn the AFL from being a place of systemic injustice to an organisation that creates the conditions for systemic justice and healing.

References

  1. ^ Black and proud (www.newsouthbooks.com.au)
  2. ^ termination of the investigation (www.theage.com.au)
  3. ^ no adverse findings (www.abc.net.au)
  4. ^ all strenuously denied any wrongdoing (www.theguardian.com)
  5. ^ reports (www.theage.com.au)
  6. ^ charge Hawthorn (www.theage.com.au)
  7. ^ As the 2022 AFLM season comes to a close, the game must ask itself some difficult questions – especially on racism (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ for the sake of the player’s career (www.abc.net.au)
  9. ^ including Doug Nicholls’ sister (www.afl.com.au)
  10. ^ destroy (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ not even been interviewed (www.abc.net.au)
  12. ^ fully independent of the AFL (www.abc.net.au)
  13. ^ as recently as this past weekend (www.abc.net.au)
  14. ^ continue to remove Indigenous children from their families (www.sbs.com.au)
  15. ^ incarcerate Indigenous kids and adults at ever-increasing rates (humanrights.gov.au)
  16. ^ eight times more likely to be murdered (theconversation.com)
  17. ^ scandals regarding racism (theconversation.com)
  18. ^ not truly independent (www.theguardian.com)
  19. ^ lack of even one conviction (thenewdaily.com.au)
  20. ^ Yoorook Justice Commission (yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au)
  21. ^ a (white) boys club (www.abc.net.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/the-antithesis-of-healing-the-afl-turns-away-from-truth-telling-again-ending-hawthorn-investigation-200722

The Times Features

The Gift That Keeps Growing: Why Tinybeans+ Gift Cards are a game-changer for new parents

As new parents navigate the joys and challenges of raising a child in the digital age, one question looms large: how do you preserve and share your baby's milestones without co...

Group Adventures Made Easy: How to Coordinate Shuttle Services from DCA to IAD

Traveling as a large group can be both exciting and challenging, especially when navigating busy airports like DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) and IAD (Washington...

From Anxiety to Assurance: Proven Strategies to Support Your Child's Emotional Health

Navigating the intricate landscape of childhood emotions can be a daunting task for any parent, especially when faced with common fears and anxieties. However, transforming anxie...

The Rise of Meal Replacement Shakes in Australia: Why The Lady Shake Is Leading the Pack

Source Meal replacement shakes are having a moment in Australia, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re quick, convenient, and packed with nutrition, making them the perfect solu...

HCF’s Healthy Hearts Roadshow Wraps Up 2024 with a Final Regional Sprint

Next week marks the final leg of the HCF Healthy Hearts Roadshow for 2024, bringing free heart health checks to some of NSW’s most vibrant regional communities. As Australia’s ...

The Budget-Friendly Traveler: How Off-Airport Car Hire Can Save You Money

When planning a trip, transportation is one of the most crucial considerations. For many, the go-to option is renting a car at the airport for convenience. But what if we told ...

Times Magazine

Best Brisbane Personal Injury Lawyers: Finding No-Win, No-Fee Lawyers to Represent You

Navigating a personal injury claim can be an overwhelming experience, particularly when compounded by the financial stress that often accompanies trauma. Fortunately, Brisbane boasts a number of personal injury lawyers who offer no win, no fee arra...

Why Your Business Needs Web Experts: Benefits of Localized Web Development

In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for businesses of all sizes. A well-designed website is no longer a luxury but a necessity. However, creating and maintaining an effective website requires specialized skills and kn...

The Montessori Preschools' Innovative Method

Montessori preschools provide an alternative to conventional pre-kindergarten environments. Developed by Dr Maria Montessori in the early 1900s, this distinct educational approach emphasizes independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a ch...

Collector's Dream: 10 Retro Cars

The modern automotive industry is actively developing. There are an incredible number of different vehicles on the market. It is difficult even to imagine the fact that there are machines that are quite hard to find on the world market. The firs...

The perfect place: how to properly use a jewellery box

There is nothing worse than going to wear one of our favourite pieces only to realise it has depreciated with time. It’s a sad disappointment to see special pieces suffer with time, and for this reason many people invest in high quality jewellery...

What to Expect at Our Ultimate Indoor Golfing Venue in Rockingham

Here, dear gentlemen, is what the future of golfing looks like in Rockingham! This dream place for those who want to play golf in any weather or at any time of the day will become our ultimate indoor golfing venue. Envision a scenario where one is ...