(JADE’S ASSIGNMENT DRAFT) Title page: Expository Report Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to examine the level of accountability of the Collingwood Football Club in response to racist allegations and events as described within the report titled ‘Do Better’. Introduction This report will review the events outlined by the ‘Do Better’ report that … Continue reading “Expository Report | My Assignment Tutor”
(JADE’S ASSIGNMENT DRAFT) Title page: Expository Report Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to examine the level of accountability of the Collingwood Football Club in response to racist allegations and events as described within the report titled ‘Do Better’. Introduction This report will review the events outlined by the ‘Do Better’ report that was commissioned by the Collingwood Football Club (CFC), by examining the corporate governance principle of accountability and to what level it was maintained by the club during these events. Report: The application and effectiveness of accountability within Collingwood Football Club Background of the Collingwood Football Club The Collingwood Football Club (CFC) is a club with a rich history and notoriety throughout the Australian Football League (AFL), and The ‘Do Better’ report – an overview The ‘Do Better’ report was the result of an independent investigation commissioned by the CFC to review the club’s processes for managing racial allegations and culture within the club. The corporate governance principle of accountability as it applies to the CFC This expository report will examine the effectiveness of the CFC’s corporate governance through the principle of accountability in relation to the five terms of reference determined by the authors of the Do Better report, Behrendt and Coombes (2021). The principle of accountability within corporate governance In the 4th edition of Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (2019), the Australian Securities Exchange’s (ASX) Corporate Governance Council defines corporate governance as being “the framework of rules, relationships, systems and processes within and by which authority is exercised and controlled within corporations. It encompasses the mechanisms by which companies, and those in control, are held to account” (p. 1). The three basic principles of effective corporate governance are defined by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC, 2005) as being transparency, accountability and corporate control. Term of reference 1: How effectively did the Club (including staff, Board and players) respond to allegations of racism? The Do Better report outlined multiple allegations of racism against the CFC, with a consistent theme of a general lack of accountability in responses by the club. Term of reference 2: Were there appropriate supports provided by the Club to respond to allegations of racism and ensure the cultural safety of all players, staff and Board members? As outlined earlier, three key documents are generally relied upon to institutionalise ethical and moral behaviour within an organisation; the statement of values, the code of ethics, and the code of conduct (Shaw et al., 2021). Term of reference 3: What changes in relevant policies, processes and systems have taken place and have these changes been effective? Steps in the right direction have been taken, the most significant of which was the CFC initiating an independent review into their processes dealing with racism (Behrendt and Coombes, 2021). Term of reference 4: Are the current policies, processes and systems currently in place adequate? While expressing admiration for the changes that the club has already instigated, Behrendt and Coombes (2021) note that these changes are not yet enough to prevent or proactively manage any similar events occurring in the future. Term of reference 5: What changes are required to improve the Club’s responses to racism in the future? Of the 18 recommendations listed by Behrendt and Coombes (2021), several have significant bearing on the CFC’s accountability. Conclusion and recommendations After reviewing the information provided by Behrendt and Coombes (2021), it has been made clear that the CFC was severely lacking accountability in the events outlined in the Do Better report. References Behrendt, L., & Coombes, L. (2021). Do better: Independent review into Collingwood Football Club’s responses to incidents of racism and cultural safety in the workplace.
