Criminal Code Amendment (National Sport Integrity Offences) Bill 2026

Ms ROWLAND (Greenway—Attorney-General) (16:13): The Criminal Code Amendment (National Sport Integrity Offences) Bill 2026 will protect the integrity of Australian sport by criminalising match fixing and related behaviours. The introduction of these offences will play a vital role in protecting athletes, officials and fans across all sporting codes in keeping criminal elements out of Australian sport.

Competition manipulation, or match fixing, undermines the credibility of sporting competitions and exposes athletes and officials to coercion and exploitation. It provides an opportunity for transnational crime syndicates to launder money and manipulate sporting events for financial gain. While there are similar offences at a state and territory level, this bill will fill gaps in existing legislation and recognise that match fixing is a crime that extends beyond borders.

The bill introduces a range of offences to protect Australian sport. This includes criminalising the manipulation of sporting events for undue benefit, prohibiting inducing or soliciting sports corruption, offences related to destroying or improperly using and possessing information about sports corruption, and criminalising the improper use of inside information.

Implementation of these offences will ensure Australia is compliant with the Macolin Convention, a multilateral treaty that aims to prevent, detect and sanction manipulation of national and international sporting competitions. As Australia prepares to host the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is essential that Australia has effective laws to ensure the integrity of sport.

The passage of the Criminal Code Amendment (National Sport Integrity Offences) Bill 2026 is a vital step in safeguarding Australian sport from manipulation. I commend the bill to the chamber. Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time. Ordered that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.