Election 2018: Controversial proposed volunteer fee to be scrapped

SPORTING clubs have had a win over a proposed new volunteer fee they feared could cost thousands of dollars a year, as key major parties agree to put this on hold — for the moment at least.

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SPORTING clubs have had a win over a proposed new volunteer fee they feared could cost thousands of dollars a year.

A proposal by the Federal Child Protection Systems Royal Commission has suggested it be mandatory for volunteers to obtain a working-with-children clearance.

The $58 check — which would last five years — has come under scrutiny from organisations involved in a range of sports, including football, soccer, dragonboat racing, lifesaving, bowls and basketball.

The Liberals have promised to scrap the proposed fee if elected while Labor has vowed to ditch it for older volunteers.

HELPING HANDS: Plympton Football Club director Jamie Morgan flanked by volunteers Fiona and Pat Lambert and Craig Bennetts. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

The pledges followed questions from the Sunday Mail after several sporting organisations raised concerns that the fees could reduce volunteer numbers or force the cost the clubs to find the money.

Opposition leader Steven Marshall has promised to axe the fees and to streamline the process which enabled people to become volunteers.

“We need to screen volunteers to protect children, people with a disability and the elderly but those checks shouldn’t become a deterrent for genuine volunteers,” Mr Marshall said.

Minister for Volunteers Zoe Bettison said that, if re-elected, Labor would ensure people aged 60 and over did not have to pay for working with children.

“Volunteering is good for both community organisations and the volunteers themselves as it helps older South Australians remain active and engaged in their communities,” she said.

Sports SA chief executive officer Jan Sutherland said any moves to reduce the costs of volunteers was welcome.

“We absolutely think a safe environment is terrific, but our concern is the burden of the additional cost,” she said.

Plympton Junior Football director Jamie Morgan said volunteers were the lifeblood for non-for-profit sporting could not survive without volunteers.

“The biggest impact would be cost and any additional compliance and follow up,” he said.

SANFL CEO Jake Parkinson said football clubs were fearful the fees would discourage volunteers.

“We fully support regulations which create safe environments for children participating in sport and are extremely concerned this will be compromised unless the fee for working with children checks on volunteers are abolished,” he said.

“People will be discouraged from volunteering or they’ll delay getting the working with children check done — if at all.

“This goes against what these regulations are set out to do, that is keeping children safe.”