WHAT'S THIS ABOUT
There is a new version of the Racial Vilification Policy which has been introduced by Qld Cricket.
DISCUSSION
The old version is in Appendix C of the 2025/26 Playing Regs. (It had a slightly different title but deals with the same issues.)
PROPOSAL
Here's the text of the new version then the text of the old version.
Racial Vilification Policy
VERSION 1.0
ISSUE DATE August 2025
COMMENTS Nil
CREATED BY Mark Ainsworth, Integrity Consultant
APPROVED BY Terry Svenson, Chief Executive Officer
REVIEW DATE August 2027
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................
2. LODGING A COMPLAINT ...............................................................................................
3. CONCILIATION PROCESS..............................................................................................
4. SUPPORT AT CONCILIATION ........................................................................................
5. INVESTIGATIONS ............................................................................................................
6. RESOLUTION PROCESS ..................................................................................................
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The QC Racial Vilification Policy (Policy) supports the QC Integrity Framework by creating an environment which is free of racial and religious vilification where people are treated with dignity, courtesy and respect regardless of their race or religious beliefs.
1.2 This Policy seeks to comply with the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 and the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.
1.3 Breaches of this Policy are captured under Prohibited Conduct relevant to the QC Code of Conduct and Integrity Framework.
1.4 It is incumbent on the Cricket Participant to read and familiarise themselves with the key words defined in the QC Integrity Framework – Key Terms in order to fully understand the application of this Policy.
1.5 Recognise the commitment of the QC to the elimination of racial and religious vilification of any player, umpire or official.
1.6 Establish a framework for handling complaints made by cricket participants who believe they have been subjected to racial or religious vilification.
1.7 This Policy seeks to align with the Cricket Australia Racial and Religious Vilification Code.
2. LODGING A COMPLAINT
2.1 Nothing in this policy prevents a person lodging a Complaint in relation to racial vilification in accordance with relevant legislation.
2.2 Any Complaint made in relation to the content of this policy is to be made consistent with the Process outlined in the QC Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy which also includes the investigation Process.
2.3 QC will provide any necessary support to a Complainant in relation to a Complaint made under this Policy. Such support may include referral to a support organisation.
2.4 Where a cricket participant (complainant) believes he/she has been subjected to vilification under this Code, or an officiating umpire in a match believes another player, umpire or official has breached the code, the complainant or umpire may lodge a complaint with the QC Integrity Manager (via QC Integrity email or ‘Report Something’) within 72 hours after the alleged racial vilification has occurred.
3. CONCILIATION PROCESS
3.1 Complaints made under this policy may be dealt with by way of Conciliation, which is an informal, flexible approach to resolving Complaints. This process may include, where appropriate, the making of an apology by either written correspondence, face to face, or any other method consented to by the Complainant.
3.2 On receipt of a complaint under this policy, the QC Integrity Manager will put the complaint to the respondent in writing and seek a written response within 48 hours. Should no response be received then the conciliation process will be commenced.
3.3 An attempt to Conciliate a Complaint should occur within 72 hours of the Integrity Manager notifying the Conciliator of the request for Conciliation. This time frame will largely depend on the availability of the Complainant and the Respondent.
3.4 QC will appoint a Conducts Commissioner to undertake conciliation in these types of matters.
3.5 Both the Complainant and Respondent attending Conciliation must participate in good faith and the Conciliator must ensure the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness are observed and maintained.
3.6 At the conclusion of the Conciliation Process, the Conciliator must advise the QC Integrity Manager in writing that the process has concluded, and the outcome reached, to allow for finalisation of the Complaint or for the institution of any other process. The QC Integrity Manager will record the outcome of the Conciliation Process on the QC Integrity register.
3.7 Once the Conciliation Process is completed to the satisfaction of the Complainant, the Complaint is deemed to be closed and no further action under other QC Policies or Procedures can be taken.
4. SUPPORT AT CONCILIATION
4.1 Any person undertaking the Conciliation Process may have a support person present during the Conciliation Process. For the avoidance of doubt, any legal representative can only participate in the Conciliation Process on the same terms as a support person. It is at the discretion of the Conciliator to allow a legal representative to be present during conciliation.
4.2 The support person/legal representative is not permitted to answer questions but can request the Conciliation Process be paused where necessary.
4.3 Any person undertaking the Conciliation Process who wishes to have a support person must advise the QC Integrity Manager at the earliest opportunity prior to the Conciliation Process. The advice should be in writing and include the name of the support person.
4.4 Any Cricket Participant subject to Conciliation who are under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
5. INVESTIGATIONS
5.1 In circumstances where a complaint is not resolved in accordance with Section 3 of this Policy, the QC Integrity Manager may refer the matter for investigation in accordance with the QC Complaints, Discipline and Disputes Policy.
5.2 At the conclusion of any investigation, the QC Integrity Manager may refer the matter to a Conducts Commissioner for determination.
6. RESOLUTION PROCESS
6.1 In the event where the matter has not been successfully resolved at Conciliation and then referred to a Conducts Commissioner, evidence from the Conciliation process will be provided to or accepted by the Conducts Commissioner in relation to anything said or done in any Conciliation Process.
6.2 This policy does not restrict any cricket participant from pursuing any other legal right they may have in relation to Racial Vilification matters.
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Old Version
Appendix C. RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS VILIFICATION CODE
Note: This policy applies to all competitions.
1. PURPOSE OF CODE
The purpose of this Code is to:
1. Recognise the commitment of the Queensland Cricket (“QC”) to the elimination of racial and religious vilification of player, umpire or official.
2. Establish a framework for handling complaints made by players, umpires and officials who believe they have been subjected to racial or religious vilification by another player, umpire or official.
2. CONDUCT COVERED BY THE CODE
A player, umpire or official who is participating in a match under the jurisdiction or auspices of QC will not engage in any conduct, act towards or speak to any other player, umpire or official in a manner which offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies the other player, umpire or official on the basis of that player, umpire or official’s race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin (“the conduct”).
3. THE INTERRELATIONSHIP OF THIS CODE WITH OTHER RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE SPORT
This Code does not restrict any other action which may be taken in relation to the conduct covered by this Code under the Australian Cricket Board and International Cricket Council (“ICC”) Code of Conduct.
4. HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LEGISLATION
This Code does not restrict or prohibit any player from pursuing all other legal rights they may have in relation to racial and religious vilification.
5. LODGING A COMPLAINT
Where a player, umpire or official (“the Complainant”) believes he/she has been subjected to vilification under this Code, or an officiating umpire in a match [“the umpire”] believes another player, umpire or official has breached the code, the complainant or umpire may lodge a complaint with the Grade Secretary of QC by 5pm on the first business day following the completion of the match in which the breach is alleged to have occurred.
6. WHAT MUST A COMPLAINT CONTAIN
A Complaint must:
6.1 be in writing;
6.2 outline the circumstances of the allegations made; and
6.3 if possible, be accompanied by any supporting documentation including witness statements or video evidence.
7. THE ROLE OF THE GRADE SECRETARY
The Grade Secretary shall upon receipt of a complaint:
7.1 inform the person alleged to have contravened the Code (“the Respondent”) of the complaint and provide that person with both a copy of the complaint and an opportunity to respond in writing;
7.2 advise the Chief Executive Officer of QC, both team captains, the Secretary of the Club and or Association as applicable, the Secretary of the Umpires Association, the QC Commissioner, as appointed by the Queensland Cricket Board of Directors, of the complaint;
7.3 conduct an investigation into the allegations made in the complaint as he/she deems fit, which may include, but is not limited to:
7.3.1 compiling a list of witnesses;
7.3.2 obtaining a written statement from any available witness;
7.3.3 obtaining a report from the Club, Association and or Umpires Association officials, if applicable
7.3.4 obtaining a report from the officiating umpires and match referees, if applicable; and
7.3.5 obtaining video or other evidence.
7.4 The investigation should be completed within 48 hours of receipt of the complaint, unless the Grade Secretary, at his/her discretion, extends the time for investigation in the interests of fairness to all parties.
7.5 When the investigation is completed, the Grade Secretary shall arrange for the complaint to be referred to conciliation; or
7.6 The Chief Executive of Queensland Cricket may delegate to an officer of the QC any of the Grade Secretary’s powers or functions under this Code.
8. CONCILIATION PROCEDURE
8.1 The Conciliator
Any conciliation referred to in clause 7.3 of this Code will be conducted by a nominee of the Queensland Cricket Board of Directors.
8.2 The Conciliation
8.2.1 The Complainant and the Respondent, should attend the conciliation. Both Team Captains, or Vice Captain if either are a party to the complaint, and a member of the Complainant and Respondent’s Executive Committee.
8.2.2 The Grade Secretary must lodge with the Conciliator prior to conciliation:
8.2.2.1 a copy of the complaint;
8.2.2.2 the Respondents’ response to the complaint; and
8.2.2.3 any evidence relevant to the complaint obtained during the course of the
8.2.3 Both parties and all those attending the conciliation must participate in good faith.
8.2.4 The Conciliator must adhere to and ensure the conciliation is conducted with reference to the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness.
8.2.5 The Complainant is the person who determines the course of redress to be pursued at any conciliation.
8.2.6 Except as stated in clause 8.3.4, both parties to the complaint and any other person aware of the details or circumstances of the conciliation, including the Grade Secretary, QC Officials, Club and Umpires Executive Committees, Umpires and Players, must at all times keep the particulars of the complaint and the conciliation confidential.
8.2.7 Except as stated in clause 8.3.4, no person referred to in clause 8.2.6 shall publicly comment on or disseminate any personal information concerning the complaint at any time prior to, during or after the conciliation.
8.2.8 Should a player, umpire or official breach Clause 8.2.6, the Conducts Committee may fine the offender, suspend him/her or otherwise deal with him/her at its discretion.
8.2.9 Any other person in breach of clause 8.2.6 shall be subject to a penalty to be determined by the QC Commissioner.
8.3 Resolution of the Complaint
8.3.1 If the complaint is resolved at the conciliation, the complaint will be deemed withdrawn and the Complainant cannot take any further action in respect of the complaint under this code.
8.3.2 Resolution of the complaint may be formalised by way of a verbal agreement or a formal written agreement signed by the parties.
8.3.3 The Conciliator must inform the Grade Secretary the complaint has resolved.
8.3.4 Where a complaint is resolved, the parties may agree with the consent of the ACB, to make a public statement concerning the resolution of the complaint.
8.4 If Conciliation is Unsuccessful.
Where the complaint has not been resolved successfully by conciliation, or where the conciliator believes that the complaint is not capable of successful resolution:
8.4.1 The Complainant, after notifying the Conciliator, may withdraw the complaint in which case no further action will be taken; or
8.4.2 The Conciliator must inform the Grade Secretary that the conciliation has not been successful.
CLICK to go back to INTRODUCTION ABM 5-Jul-2026
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