The Integrity Unit’s Impossible Task: Balancing Protection and Overreach

The AFL Integrity and Security Unit’s recent involvement in a player’s marital crisis has raised questions about the unit’s scope and effectiveness. With a workload that includes assessing over 1,500 intelligence reports annually and undertaking hundreds of investigations, the unit is struggling to maintain its focus on protecting the game from corruption and organised crime.

Senior officials praise the unit’s efforts but worry about the exploding workload. “At what point as an employer do you have an overview of the moral conduct of employees?” one competition source astutely observed. This question gets to the heart of the issue: where does the integrity unit draw the line between protecting players and officials from harm and interfering in personal matters?

The AFL’s statement acknowledges the significant increase in responsibilities, which now include anti-doping and wagering integrity, as well as safeguarding, respect, and responsibility. The variety of issues falling on its desk can make it difficult to decide which ones to investigate. Recent cases involving Steven May’s house visit, Elijah Hollands’ movements, and homophobic language used in a VFL game illustrate this challenge.

The unit’s evolution is rooted in the 2017 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse, which placed organisations under pressure to become involved in child safeguarding across community sport. This shift has led to an increased workload for the integrity unit, which now covers 10,000 registered officials and hosts over 1,000 matches a year.

Tony Keane’s appointment as boss, a former homicide detective, has raised eyebrows among senior club officials due to his private security business venture outside of the AFL. The AFL’s purchase of Marvel Stadium in 2016 and federal legislation relating to crowded spaces have also increased its responsibilities for security at stadiums and events.

The issue is not just about workload but also about overreach. “At what point do you start to interfere in personal matters?” one official noted. This question is particularly pertinent given the unit’s recent involvement in a player’s marital crisis. The unit must strike a delicate balance between protecting its personnel and respecting individual privacy.

Tony Keane’s private security business venture outside of the AFL raises questions about his ability to maintain an impartial stance within the integrity unit. The increased workload has led to concerns among senior officials that the unit may have veered too far from its original purpose, which is to protect the game and its people from corruption and organised crime.

The integrity unit’s workload has grown significantly since the 2017 Royal Commission, with an increase in intelligence reports relating to community football. The introduction of an integrity portal in 2015 allows for anonymous complaints, providing a stream of intelligence to the AFL. However, this also means that the unit is dealing with a vast array of issues, from betting bans and nude photos to personal matters.

The recent defamation case brought by Cate Sayers against her estranged husband Luke, former president of Carlton, threatens to unpick one of the unit’s investigations in open court. This raises further questions about the unit’s ability to manage its workload effectively and maintain its credibility.

Regular reporting and oversight for the integrity unit are provided through the AFL’s governance framework, but it is unclear whether this is sufficient to address the growing concerns about the unit’s workload and effectiveness. One senior club official noted, “I would rate its [the unit’s] work as nine out of 10.” However, this optimism may be misplaced given the challenges facing the unit.

The AFL Integrity and Security Unit’s impossible task is a symptom of a larger issue – the increasing complexity of the game and its governance. The unit must strike a delicate balance between protecting its personnel and respecting individual privacy while also addressing corruption and organised crime. As the integrity unit continues to grapple with its workload, it is essential that the AFL addresses these concerns and ensures that its primary purpose remains intact.

The future of the integrity unit will depend on how effectively it can adapt to the changing landscape of Australian football. With a growing list of responsibilities and an increasingly complex set of issues to address, the unit’s ability to maintain its focus on protecting the game from corruption and organised crime is more pressing than ever.