Australians Balk Over Effort to Strip Due Process Rights From Athletes Accused of Doping

Defendants would have to prove their innocence

The government's bid to grant the national anti-doping authority star chamber powers similar to those enjoyed by state corruption watchdogs appears doomed, with the Greens joining the Coalition on Thursday in refusing to support the proposed law.

Greens senator Richard Di Natale claimed rapists and murderers would have greater legal rights than athletes if the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment Bill 2013 was to be passed by Parliament.

Under the changes to the existing law, ASADA would be given the right to compel athletes to submit to interviews—with fines of up to $5100 for those who withhold information from investigators.

The burden of proof would be shifted to athletes to prove they had done nothing wrong.