CLEAN OUT

The Federal Government has left it a trifle late with its crackdown on the
supply of Australian steroids to a booming international black market.
Better late than never, however. The crackdown appears to have been given
an impetus with the revelations in the Heraldabout the extent of
Australia's involvement with the illicit global steroid trade. The NSW and
Victorian governments, the Australian Olympic Committee and the Australian
Veterinary Association demanded a crackdown after the Herald's revelations.
The steroids are ostensibly exported to be used by vets. But in countries
with lax controls the Australian-produced steroids supply athletes through
the world steroid black market.

These steroids are certified and quality-assured by the Federal
Government's National Registration Authority. The Federal Government, in a
sense, is ensuring the effectiveness of steroids that allow athletes to
defy the requirements of drug-free competition. There is evidence, too,
that these steroids find their way back to Australia and to Australian
athletes who want to cheat on the system and against their fellow athletes.

Claims have been made that there are up to six organised crime groups in
Sydney trafficking in steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. Not
one police officer in Australia has been assigned to investigate the trade.
When an official in Australian Customs spoke out about the need for more
resources to combat the flood of steroid imports, he was disciplined. The
Federal Justice Minister, Senator Amanda Vanstone, needs to do more than
make statements about crackdowns. She needs to implement a series of
policies that will enforce a crackdown. This is a matter of urgent concern
which has to happen in fact, and not merely in words.

For their part the NSW Government and the AOC must reach a quick agreement
over an appropriate inquiry into the allegations made by the whistleblower
Werner Reiterer. A former champion discus thrower, Mr Reiterer has claimed
that up to 25 Australian athletes who will compete at the Sydney Olympics
use banned performance-enhancing drugs; that a handful of Australian
officials helped him avoid recording positive to drug tests; that
Australia's rise in world rankings has been helped by drugs.

The inquiry suggested by the AOC had no chance of investigating these
matters. Its chairwoman was inappropriate, and without the guarantee of
privilege, there was no likelihood of names being named. A short, sharp
judicial inquiry set up by the State Government is the proper response to
dealing with Mr Reiterer's allegations.