Applications to build or upgrade female change rooms received high scores from Sport Australia but were refused by Bridget McKenzieThe Coalition ignored Sport Australia recommendations and rejected at least 12 grants for female change rooms at local sport grounds, including one where women and girls are currently changing in tents. But documents seen by the Guardian show at least 12 applications for grants to build or upgrade female change rooms were rejected by then sports minister Bridget McKenzie, despite receiving excellent scores from Sport Australia, the body that assessed proposals against objective, independent criteria. One of the rejected applications – a bid by the Cherry Gardens Ironbank Recreation Ground to build female-friendly change rooms – scored 94 out of 100, one of the highest scores in the nation. Sport Australia deemed it worthy of funding, scoring it 76 out of 100. Guardian Australia has also reported that the Old Collegians Rugby Club in the Coalition-held seat of Sturt received $500,000 for female change rooms despite its women’s team quitting because of a sexism row.

Source: The Guardian January 30, 2020 16:30 UTC