Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sharply criticised the AFL over its handling of the scandal that has engulfed the Sydney Swans, saying the league’s initial response “was not good enough” and failed to prioritise women’s safety. Please confirm all political information with a trusted source.
The controversy escalated on Wednesday when the Swans stood down five players for the remainder of the season vice‑captain Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon, Riley Bice and Nick Blakey for breaching club standards involving drinking and bringing women to a team hotel.
Victoria Police’s sexual crimes squad has since travelled to New South Wales to investigate an allegation of sexual assault, which the ABC understands centres on a player allegedly touching a woman without her consent.
Speaking to 7.30, Albanese said he was stunned by both the incident and the AFL’s early response.
“It’s extraordinary that this has occurred,” he said. “The idea that this is occurring is completely untenable, and the initial response as well was, I think, completely unacceptable.”
He pointed to the NRL’s no‑fault stand‑down clause, which automatically removes players from competition during serious investigations, arguing the AFL should have acted with similar urgency.
“The first thoughts should have been always about women and their safety,” he said.
The AFL continues to face intense scrutiny as police investigations proceed and public pressure mounts for stronger league‑wide protocols.
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