Former Australian Politician To Present Rugby Review To ARU

Former Australian Labor politician Mark Arbib will "present his review into the governance" of Australian rugby to the Australian Rugby Union board Monday, according to Bret Harris of THE AUSTRALIAN. Initiated by retiring ARU CEO John O'Neill 12 months ago, the Arbib Report will be "the biggest shake-up in the history of Australian rugby and will bring the game into the 21st century." Arbib is expected to recommend the ARU "move away from its antiquated, federated model of governance toward an AFL-style independent commission." Cricket, rugby league and football have "all considered or followed" the same format. If the ARU approves an independent commission, it will "have to be ratified at an extraordinary general meeting of the member unions." Any constitutional change "requires a 75% majority of the member unions" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 10/21).