A woman at the centre of the explosive Hawthorn racism claims has slammed the investigation into the allegations, confirming she won’t take part.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Marque Lawyers, a woman identified as “Amy” (not her real name) says the independent investigation commissioned by the AFL is unsafe.
“Amy is refusing to consent to the silencing tactics of the AFL,” the statement read.
Also on Wednesday, new North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson vowed to strongly defend himself against the charges of racism, which date back to his time at Hawthorn.
Clarkson officially started his new job as Kangaroos AFL coach on Wednesday after signing a five-year contract in late August.
But the 54-year-old acknowledged his main focus in the coming weeks would be the investigation into allegations of racism levelled against himself, former Hawthorn football boss and now Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan and ex-Hawks official Jason Burt.
Clarkson and Fagan originally stood aside when the allegations were made public in September.
On October 20, the AFL released the terms of reference for the independent investigation, with a goal of wrapping it up by Christmas.
But AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan admitted at the time the league was unsure whether the Indigenous players and their partners who had made the allegations would take part in the investigation.
On Monday, Amy, identified as a Gunditjmara and Bunitj woman, made it clear she would not.
“I could either stay numb and silent, or I could find my voice and play my part in the struggle to try and create safety and protection for our young ones who would inevitably face these systems,” she said in the statement.
(Photo by Steve Bell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
The statement said Amy was given only two days to consider the investigation’s terms of reference before they were made public, “leaving her no choice but to not participate in the process.
“To underline the lack of real consultation, the final ToR released by the AFL are materially different from the version provided to Amy two days earlier.”
The statement raises a series of issues – that the investigation is not independent, that it continues the pattern of abuse it is supposedly addressing, it is being rushed and it is not culturally safe.
It adds: “The AFL does not have the appropriate appetite, expertise or strategy to effectively address the matters raised in the Hawthorn cultural safety review.”
The allegations came out of the review, conducted by Phil Egan, a former Richmond player.
The Marque statement says Amy alleges she was the victim of “appalling mistreatment” by Hawthorn.
Clarkson is determined to tell his side of the story.
“At the minute they are just allegations and we’re going to defend ourselves pretty strongly in the investigation,” Clarkson told reporters.
“Like anyone in this world, until the allegations are proven you should be able to get on and live your life.
“I’d be very, very surprised if we weren’t able to put a really strong case forward that these allegations have been reported in a different way than we saw them when we were at the club.”
A four-person panel chaired by lawyer Bernard Quinn KC will look into the allegations by former Hawthorn Indigenous players and their partners of inappropriate conduct by Clarkson, Fagan and Burt dating back to the previous decade.
It has yet to be announced when Clarkson, Fagan and Burt will front the panel.
Clarkson coached the Hawks to four flags during a successful 17-year tenure before being replaced by Sam Mitchell late in the 2021 season.
Fagan returned to his coaching duties at Brisbane last week.
The AFL released a statement on Wednesday evening, saying “we acknowledged the pain, trauma and grief” of Amy.
“It reinforces how serious these allegations are and how important it is that the AFL treat them appropriately,” the statement added.
The league added it can only investigate under AFL rules and its process does not stop anyone from taking separate legal action “or seeking redress in another forum or jurisdiction.”
The AFL said in the process before the start of the investigation “no individual had all their requests met”.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
So don't be singular and don't be plural? Good one. I hear what you're saying - Pete, according to you, doesn't have the right to have an opinion. What's your authority to determine that?
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
It was a question I think. And I 100% do question whether those around her have her best interests and welfare at heart or are basically using this girl as a pawn for their own self interests and agendas.
Clear as mud
Guest
you did it again stop identifying as an us. hold your thoughts. think about what she said. read some of the "neutral" posts here. and give it time. delay gratification.
Mark
Guest
It seems what would be safe is a process that accepts their claims at face value, doesn’t subject them to any questioning, and doesn’t give the accused any right of reply. That may be good enough for some Indigenous consultant producing a self-serving report into racism to justify its own existence. But it shouldn’t be satisfactory for any serious investigation.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I can’t, we are woeful.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Moderate and thoughtful? “Last bastion of White European privilege and entitlement”…that’s not moderate, that’s straight out of the self-flagellating far-left anti-white group-thinking lemming hand book. No wonder you assume they’re guilty.
Larry1950
Guest
A bit like your insinuation about her legal advisor?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
It's getting too stupid.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Her lawyers are great at it too, today one of them said something and when it came to the 3 accused, actually to get it right ive gone and found it.. Addressing any perceived injustice against those who have been accused, Bradley wrote: “They’re big boys — white men — with access to every resource they could ever need to pursue and vindicate their rights.” “Amy has spoken her truth. That is where her responsibilities end. If you are among those demanding more of her, you don’t know what trauma is.” Again not sure why it makes a difference if they are white or not or why it matters she's not. Am I led to believe that if this had happened to a white woman and her partner it would be totally acceptable. And what the actual is the, She's spoken her truth, thats where her responsibilities end. Umm who are these people around her? If you want to make such serious accusations you need to have evidence of your story and be able to prove it if you want something to be done about it not just expect or think people are going to persecute people just on the word of somebody else and what now were just going to keep going and going until what somebodys compensated, inotherwords paid to be happy. Again who are these people around her. So maybe again im missing something but if all Amy wanted to do is tell her story and thats where her responsibilities end, well who's responsibility is it now to find a happy outcome for her. Im so confused.lol. I second the eye roll notion as well.lol.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Yeah but perhaps this has all been a web of lies and misstatements so not participating is the best option.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Any alleged misdemeanour or wrongdoing by a white person against a person of colour, particularly if they are considered indigenous becomes a race issue (I wish this site had an eye roll emoji because it would get a lot of use :stoked: ). The guilt harboured for two hundred and fifty years of shocking mistreatment means it must be so even in situations where it doesn’t apply (insert another eye roll emoji)
Ball Burster
Roar Rookie
In one sense, the concern about independence is understandable. It's a bit superficial though. I look at the four people investigating and the Terms of Reference and conclude that the likelihood that they'd be party to a rigging it is vanishingly small.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Yes, he appears to be speaking for all three accused. Not a good look.
ScottD
Roar Guru
It may say they aren't casting aspersions on the panel but they absolutely are.....
ScottD
Roar Guru
Sure, but she can stay anonymous and still have her lawyers make a deposition under a Statutory Declaration. It isn't rocket science and all decent law firms know how to do that. This whole " I'm not participating" is absolutely nonsense and suggests she has very very poor lawyers that are providing bad advice.
Marty
Roar Rookie
Right so let me get this straight. You write a very detailed ‘theory’ of what you ‘suspect has happened’ which is totally dismissive of one particular version of events… but that’s not an opinion on who’s right and who’s wrong? OK, I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree on that one mate, enjoy the cricket.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
I really do worry for this girl at the moment, maybe its just me but there seems to be alot of grandstanding by those around her at the moment without any actual direction. Maybe I've missed something too but I'm actually trying to work out why this is a race thing, I havent heard anywhere that they were told or advised to abort their baby because they are indigenous or to end a volatile relationship purely based on the colour of their skin either. It sounds like a morality issue not a race issue, the only people I hear bringing colour into it are her lawyers and I think the abc reporter but dont quote me on that last bit. But im not 100% sure how this is being played as a race issue and not a morality issue if thats the right word im looking for.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Listen and reflect on what exactly ? Many of us are wanting to listen but some are choosing not to participate.
Clear as mud
Guest
i am pretty sure any of the "I's" don't have a right to an expectation here. i think it's a good time to listen and reflect
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
yes, there are countries where guilt is implied and action taken immediately. And I deplore such countries.