Sarah Benson, newly appointed chief executive of Sport Integrity Australia, brings extensive experience as a forensic scientist. Her role coincides with contentious debates around illicit drugs in sports, particularly within the AFL, where a recent audit revealed tensions concerning player testing practices. The Australian National Audit Office's findings pointed to deficiencies in SIA's management of anti-doping regulations and potential risks of regulatory capture. Despite concerns about independence, Benson emphasized the collaboration necessary with sporting bodies to uphold integrity and improve her organization's practices following a merger in 2020.
The saga heightened suspicions within the players' union and put on hold discussions around the new illicit drugs policy, but Benson said... it was nothing unusual about the list.
The audit report also declared SIA's management of the National Anti-Doping Scheme was only partly effective, and... the organisation was at risk of regulatory capture by the commercial sports.
Benson said she supported the audit process and it was aligned with a commitment to improvement within her organisation... but declared any suggestion that SIA was not independent to be incorrect.
It's considered best practice that we work with sports, and part of working with sports is they may provide us a list.
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