The Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy sets out the process for resolving complaints and imposing disciplinary action arising from an individual or organisation engaging in prohibited conduct under the Framework and associated integrity policies.

The policy has been designed in collaboration with the National Sports Tribunal, to ensure that sport integrity-related complaints are dealt with independently and consistently to ensure a fair and effective resolution.

Croquet has opted-in to the independent complaint management system, managed by Sport Integrity Australia, which will ensure complaints are dealt with transparently and in the most appropriate manner.

Sport Integrity Australia and National Integrity Managers will continue to be involved in investigating all child safeguarding matters and member protection matters based on features including race, disability, sex, age, and religion. 

This means that Complaints about Prohibited Conduct under the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy or alleged Discrimination under the Member Protection Policy will continue to be managed by Sport Integrity Australia 

The policy includes:

• The process for complaint management such as initial threshold questions, assessment process and resolution phase
• Provides several options to resolve an issue: Alternative Dispute Resolution; Breach Notice; or Hearing Tribunal (internal or via the National Sports Tribunal)
• Key responsibilities for the National Sporting Organisation’s Complaint Manager, such as the issuing of Breach Notices, arranging Alternate Dispute Resolution and enforcing sanctions.

In addition, Sport Integrity Australia will no longer be involved in the imposition of provisional action and sanctions in all National Integrity Framework matters. Rather, Sport Integrity Australia will provide sports with a sanctions framework to help determine appropriate consistent provisional action and sanctions in individual cases. Where Sport Integrity Australia investigates a complaint aligned with a relevant human rights obligation, it will supply a report to the sport with the relevant information to assist sports to determine the appropriate action under the sanctions framework. 

• Making an Integrity Complaint or Report
• Guidance for Complaint Management and Sanctioning
• Standards & Prohibited Conduct: A Guide
• View Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy

Lodging A Complaint

Below are some simple tips to remember when considering lodging a complaint with Sport Integrity Australia. 

• Anyone can make a complaint. 
• Only complaints about alleged conduct under the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy or Discrimination based on Protected Characteristics including race, disability, sex, religion or age can be submitted to Sport Integrity Australia.  
• Complaints can only be actioned if the person who allegedly committed the behaviour is bound by our sport (i.e. they must have agreed to be bound by the policy via membership or agreement). 
• Complaints relating to Selections, Governance, Personal Grievances, Whistle-blower, or Code of Conduct are not covered under the National Integrity Framework. Complaints of this nature should be submitted to your State Sporting Organisation or to Croquet Australia Complaint manager. 

Below are some factsheets to assist with the complaint process:

• National Integrity Framework Complaints Process: Step-By-Step
• Complaints, Disputes & Discipline Policy Case Categorisation Guidelines 
• Standards & Prohibited Conduct

If you are unsure about the framework or a potential policy breach, please contact:

Croquet Australia: complaintsofficer@croquet-australia.com.au

Member Protection Information Officer: mpio@croquet-australia.com.au

“If you see something, say something”

To report a breach of an integrity policy, submit directly to Sport Integrity Australia via:

• Sport Integrity Australia website
• Safe Sport Hotline 1800 161 362 (inside Australia), +61 2 6222 4200 (outside Australia)

Sport Integrity Australia Complaint or Report - HERE

Or contact Croquet Australia at complaintsofficer@croquet-australia.com.au