Hurdle for AFL’s racism inquiry

THE lawyer representing a woman who has refused to participate in the AFL’s independent investigation into historical claims of racism at Hawthorn says he is unaware of anyone who has so far committed to participate.

The day after the woman – known only as “Amy” to protect her identity – revealed she would not take part in the “unsafe” investigation, her lawyer cast further doubt on the validity of the league’s inquiry, arguing it would struggle to “achieve anything of much practical use”.

Marque Lawyers managing partner Michael Bradley said that he expected other families to decline to take part in the investigation into historical claims of racism at the club.

While Bradley and Marque Lawyers were representing only Amy – the former partner of an ex-Hawthorn player – the lawyer said his firm was in contact with two more firms acting for other impacted families.

“My understanding is that certainly at least one of the other families has already said that they’re not participating,” Bradley said on SEN.

“As for the rest, I don’t know. As far as I know nobody has actually committed to participate at this point.”

Amy’s lawyers outlined a “long list of concerns” to the AFL about the process and how the league could make it safer for her to participate.

Questioning the independence of the investigation, Bradley said one suggestion had been to appoint a body such as the Human Rights Commission to investigate.

The AFL launched its independent investigation after claims against key Hawthorn officials were made in the club’s cultural safety report.

Former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, who commenced his role at North Melbourne this week, and Brisbane coach Chris Fagan have denied all allegations levelled at them.