Mark Robinson: Confusion reigns over possible payouts to Clarkson and Fagan
The Hawthorn racism investigation started as a sincere and determined truth-telling exercise by Indigenous players and their partners, now a possible payout could prove the system is broken.
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If it’s true that money will be splashed to everyone involved in the Hawthorn racism scandal, the system is shamelessly broken.
This looms as a case of here’s the cash, shut up, move on.
As 3AW’s morning giant Ross Stevenson said on Wednesday, the Age report that $1 million could be given to Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan as compensation was an early nomination for the “comedy festival’’.
Understandably, the Hawks want the saga to end as does the AFL, and more than likely Clarkson, Fagan and fellow footy staffer Jason Burt.
Not sure, though, that’s the case for the affected indigenous players and their families.
They had to be distressed and confused on Tuesday when they read Clarkson and Fagan could receive $1 million.
They have not been told about any plans for compensation for themselves.
They haven’t been told anything.
What started as a sincere and determined truth-telling exercise by indigenous players and their partners – at the request of the Hawthorn Football Club – now presents the coaches as the victims.
How can the Hawks accept this possible outcome?
Wanting it to go away makes a mockery of the initial determination to find the truth and it’s becoming clear the Hawks and the AFL instead want a solution.
Never mind that the claims of racism against the Hawks and the coaching trio are at the Human Rights Commission for a hearing date yet to be made.
Seriously, one question: How can the Hawks and AFL decide on compo when the Human Rights Commission has not determined if human rights abuses occurred?
One person close to the indigenous families said on Monday: “The potential rewarding of the alleged perpetrators is beyond belief.
“The irony should not be lost on anyone, this is a privileged white system.
“This makes no sense. It’s incomprehensible.’’
Another source said: “The coaches are trying to create the impression they were wronged.’’
What a saga it’s been.
Claims were made, claims were denied.
The AFL said there were no “adverse findings’’ after its “independent” investigation into the allegations made in Hawthorn’s cultural safety review.
The AFL’s second investigation, which is looking at the way Hawthorn conducted its review, led by integrity boss Stephen Meade is “ongoing.’’
The suggestion of a possible outcome of the Meade investigation is the Hawks avoid being fined for “governance issues’’ and instead pay out all involved.
What’s curious is that the Meade investigation has not spoken to the players or their partners, or to the author of the cultural safety report Phil Egan, and apparently not to former Hawks chief executive Justin Reeves either.
Former Hawks president Jeff Kennett believes compo payouts to the coaches would be an “abject disgrace.’’
Clearly, Kennett has a horse in the race, but his opinion should not be ignored.
Where’s the proper process?
Why is deal-making always the AFL’s avenue to an outcome?
Why are the Hawks conceding they were in the wrong?
It’s a sorry ordeal which has affected everyone involved, and to levels that no one could possibly fathom other than them, but payouts from an organisation is not the answer.
Compo claims should be heard in court, where truths are told with one hand on the bible – by everyone.
Tuesday’s speculation that the accused could be given $1 million when the indigenous families are yet to tell their stories face-face to anyone other than Egan, is the most perplexing aspect.
Never again will an indigenous player believe the AFL environment is a safe space to tell their truths, if they needed to.
Because either they won’t be heard or they won’t be believed.
It was once described as a sorry saga, but it’s worse than that. It’s now a potential whitewash.
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