Australian Spearfishing Association
SAFE
SUSTAINABLE
SELECTIVE
Mission
To establish the Australian Spearfishing Association which will have a mission to promote safe, sustainable, and ethical spearfishing practices in Australia. Its goals include fostering youth and female participation, promoting conservation of marine resources, and specifically focusing on dedicated representation for the interests of spearfishing in Australia.
The Australian Spearfishing Association
-
The Australian Association (A.S.A.) is a non-profit making organisation of strictly civil nature. The A.S.A. is the body which provides support and a united voice for all spearfishers in Australia.
-
The A.S.A. is not an organisation that promotes only competitive spearfishing, its primary focus is to facilitate the growth of spearfishing at a grass roots and club level as well as to protect the interests of our unique activity at a government level.
-
The A.S.A. is committed to promoting positive publicity for spearfishing and promoting environmental sustainability for future generations. The A.S.A. is concerned with administering all issues pertaining to the activity of spearfishing.
-
The A.S.A aims to be a member of the following organisations:
-
AUF
-
CMAS
-
The Framework
-
In accordance with guidance from the Australian Sports Commission, the A.S.A. is intended to operate Australia wide and is best placed if it is formed as an Australian company limited by guarantee.
-
This is a relatively complex process and requires the following (among other requirements):
- at least three (3) directors and once (1) secretary
- at least one (1) member
- have a registered office and principal place of business
- be governed by a constitution -
Note that the company must meet the requirements of Special Purpose to enable reduced ASIC fees.
The Constitution
The Constitution should adopt the latest format drafted by the Australian Sports Commission. It also needs to carefully define the interaction of the association with the AUF (noting that the AUF is in the process of revising its structure and constitution to align with the Australian Sports Commission guidelines).
A draft Constitution has been prepared but requires input from proposed members.
Interaction with the AUF
The AUF is the sole Australian representative of CMAS and therefore the national sporting body for CMAS spearfishing events and competitions. However, the AUF is arguably conflicted in representing the interests of spearfishing in Australia.
For CMAS related events and competitions the new ASA could form the position of the AUF Spearfishing Commission. Note that this would be at the sole discretion of the AUF and is likely to require specific constitutional arrangements to satisfy the AUF.
Currently the AUF manages insurances and memberships across their various sporting groups. The proposed ASA would need to determine if it wishes to negotiate with the AUF to retain this arrangement or alternatively take control of its own membership management and insurances (and then presumably pay a fee to the AUF for AUF related services). This is a critical question that needs to be answered prior to the establishment of the new association.
The Way Forward
Assemble a core group of people that wish to drive the establishment of a new association
This would have a minimum active participation of 5 to 7 people that are interested in being founding members of the association and have time to develop the necessary framework.
Decide on how memberships and insurances should be managed
This is a key decision that will drive future discussions with the AUF.
​
Enter discussions with the AUF
The potential interactions of a future ASA with the AUF, including how the constitutions interact, needs to be discussed with the AUF executive.
Review and finalise the draft Constitution
This needs to be done before registering the new company.
​
Establish the new company and online presence
Company limited by guarantee (not for profit) will then be established. Initial board will be stood up.
​
Develop a transition plan to move from current arrangements to the ASA
The initial board to develop and consult on a transition plan with the relevant bodies and agree on a mechanism to gradually shift memberships to the new ASA.