Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
Sarah Benson Appointed to Lead Sport Integrity Australia
In a significant move for sports administration, forensic scientist Sarah Benson has been named chief executive of Sport Integrity Australia (SIA), becoming the nation’s top official overseeing sports integrity. Benson’s distinguished career includes crucial roles in federal police responses to international crises, such as the Bali bombings, the MH17 disaster in Ukraine, and the White Island volcanic eruption in New Zealand. Her extensive background makes her well-suited to address complex issues within the sporting landscape.
Navigating Initial Challenges: AFL Drug Policy Debate
Benson, 47, commenced her role during a period of intense public discussion regarding illicit drugs in sport. She immediately found herself at the heart of deliberations surrounding updates to the contentious “three-strike” policy in the Australian Football League (AFL), coinciding with ongoing negotiations between the AFL and its players.
Audit Report on SIA Operations
A recent report by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) into SIA’s operational effectiveness revealed that the AFL had provided SIA with a list of 51 players for targeted drug testing, without providing explicit justification. This action triggered tensions between the league and the AFL Players’ Association. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon publicly refuted claims that player privacy had been compromised as a result.
Addressing Player Privacy Concerns and Testing Protocols
This situation amplified unease within the players’ union and temporarily suspended discussions about the revised illicit drugs policy. However, Benson clarified on Monday, two weeks after assuming her position permanently and following eight months as acting CEO, that the player list was a routine procedure.
“It is standard practice for us to collaborate with sporting bodies, and this collaboration may involve them supplying us with a list, particularly if they possess their own integrity units,” she explained.
Assessment of National Anti-Doping Scheme
The ANAO audit report also concluded that SIA’s management of the National Anti-Doping Scheme was only “partly effective.” The report raised concerns about potential “regulatory capture” of the organization by commercial sporting interests.
Commitment to Independence and Improvement
Benson affirmed her support for the audit process, viewing it as consistent with SIA’s commitment to organizational enhancement. SIA, established in 2020 from the merger of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and other government sport integrity functions, rejects any assertions of compromised independence.
“While there’s commentary suggesting that our regulatory role could be inappropriately influenced by sports providing lists of individuals, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) international standard for testing and investigation explicitly states that each organization must devise and implement a testing plan that is proportionate to the risk of doping,” Benson stated.
SIA’s Testing Procedures and Funding Model
SIA operates on a “user pays” model for athlete drug testing with major professional sports. The agency collaborates with sports officials to develop customized testing plans and charges fees for the tests administered.
In 2023 and 2024, SIA collected 316 samples from AFL players, 333 from football players, and 718 from National Rugby League (NRL) players. Nevertheless, the audit report identified “deficiencies” in testing within Australian rules football and rugby league, specifically pointing to limited out-of-season testing.
Reviewing Testing Quantities and Risk Proportionality
“In light of the audit recommendations, ongoing discussions with sports will include revisiting testing numbers to ensure they are commensurate with the identified risks. This review will be a key area of focus moving forward,” Benson confirmed.
Benson’s Background and Expertise
The ANAO report represents the first major challenge for Benson in her leadership role at SIA. However, her involvement in sport predates her joining the agency in 2023.
“My involvement with the Olympics was pivotal in my recruitment to the Australian Federal Police (AFP). I was initially a second choice candidate,” she recounted. “In late 1999, the AFP sought to establish a national security and explosives unit to safeguard the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and I was hired to develop that capability.”
Following her PhD research in man-made explosives, Benson dedicated over two decades to the AFP, ultimately becoming chief forensic scientist. She played a significant role in the organization’s response to numerous devastating international incidents affecting Australians, including the 2019 White Island eruption.
Benson reflected on an instance where a family member expressed gratitude for the timely return of a deceased loved one’s body before Christmas. “This underscores the profound impact of our actions on individuals and communities. We must strive for both speed and accuracy, principles that are equally relevant in the realm of sport integrity,” she emphasized.
Child Safeguarding and Complaint Management
In 2024, SIA managed more than 250 complaints related to child safeguarding or discrimination across over 50 sports. In the six months leading up to February 2025, child safeguarding concerns constituted every complaint investigated by the agency.
Benson noted advancements in ensuring child safety within sporting environments, including the appointment of 32 integrity managers. However, she acknowledged that the safeguarding framework is still “evolving.” “Australia is progressing well, but continued effort is necessary,” she concluded.