Portfolio Media
Delhi security: Aussie athletes deserve to know
11 January 2010
The Rudd Government must provide an assurance to Australian athletes and their families they will be completely safe during the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi later this year, says Shadow Sport Minister Steven Ciobo.
"Anything less than an assurance requires full disclosure of the facts, so athletes and their families are in a position to make an informed decision. Conversely, if the Rudd Government is completely comfortable with security arrangements, it must declare what gives it that confidence.
"Australia wants a Commonwealth Games to remember - for the right reasons. No gold medal would be worth risking the lives of our athletes," Mr Ciobo said.
Mr Ciobo's comments come in the wake of disconcerting warnings by leading international security consultant Lloyd Bromfield, who has worked at the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympics games, and is also scheduled to work at the 2012 London Olympics.
"This is the second time within a fortnight doubts have been cast over the safety and security of athletes competing in Delhi, firstly out of the United Kingdom and now from an international expert," Mr Ciobo said.
"This comes on top of suggestions our more than 420 athletes should even have armed escorts. All this is greatly unsettling for both the athletes and the nation.
"It's time for the government to be up-front and declare just how much it knows about the security provisions in Delhi and whether it is confident enough in those provisions to have our athletes compete there. If it is indeed comfortable, the government must share with the nation what makes it so confident."
"We want to hear from the government what its view is - is it considering extra security precautions as suggested by terrorism expert Professor Clive Williams"
“Will the Rudd government be providing advice to athletes' family, friends and supporters staying at hotels about the security risks? What undertakings, if any, has the government received from the Indian Government? Australia needs to know now."