AFL Players' Association joins clubs to support Voice to Paliament

Jarred Cross Published June 30, 2023 at 12.00pm (AWST)

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AFLPA Indigenous Advisory Board member and AFLW season 7 best-and-fairest Ally Anderson. image: Brisbane Lions Facebook

On the recommendation of their Indigenous Advisory Board the AFL Players' Association has backed the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

On Friday the Association announced their support for the proposal following consultation with players.

"The AFL Players' Association exists to represent our members, AFL and AFLW players, past and present, and act as their collective voice on issues that impact them. One of our fundamental beliefs is that all people should have a right to have a say in decisions that affect them," the AFLPA said in a statement.

"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players have made an enormous contribution to our game – the Indigenous game of this nation – as well as to the AFLPA and importantly to our country.

"For far too long, the views of Indigenous Australians have been ignored, disregarded or overlooked when government and policy decisions are being made about them. The AFLPA believes that the time is now to cement an Indigenous Voice to Parliament."

The association said the Voice will provide an opportunity for First Nations people to inform policy.

They said it is a right not only deserved, "but one to which they should be fundamentally entitled".

The AFLPA's Indigenous Advisory Board has undergone a restructure to reshape its governance as a body within the sport.

Former AFL head of Indigenous and multicultural affairs and Gunditjmara man Jason Mifsud chairs the board, with fellow independent member, Yuin woman and medical director Professor Ngiare Brown.

"Australian football holds a unique place in the lives of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The game means a lot to our people and, unquestionably, our people mean a lot to the game," Mr Mifsud said.

Jason Mifsud, in his capacity as chair of the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, at Eastern Maar Native Title determination in March. Image: Jarred Cross.

"With this comes great responsibility and obligation, and the IAB must play a more significant role in providing insight, advice, and direction to the industry, to ensure that the rights and interests of Indigenous players are upheld, and advanced."

First Nations AFL and AFLW players Ally Anderson, Zac Williams, Chad Wingard, Gemma Houghton, Jarman Impey, Aliesha Newman and Natalie Plane join the board with AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh and General Manager Player and Stakeholder Relations Brett Murphy.

Two additional appointments, including an Indigenous Relationship Manager, as set to be made.

Earlier this week, the AFLPA's second Impacts and Insights report revealed around 30 per cent of surveyed Indigenous and multicultural players had experienced racism throughout their careers, with substantial levels of dissatifaction with how their experiences were handled.

The Indigenous Advisory Board is forecast to tackle the issue.