New Designation Process for Major Sporting Events
Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Amendment Bill 2026
House of Representatives
Senate
Assent
Topics
event branding intellectual property major sporting events sports administration trademark protection
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Anika Wells ALP
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill amends the Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Act 2014 to modernise Australia’s framework for protecting the commercial rights associated with major sporting events. Major sporting events create ’where were you when?’ moments. They create ’hug a stranger’ moments.”
Ms BELL
“I want to start by talking about sport, the inspiration that is sport and what it can do for young lives. I was inspired, as the federal member for Moncrieff, just a few weeks ago when I attended the Benowa State School, where there was a boccia tournament for three primary schools across my electorate.”
“It actually is very good to follow on from the member for Leichhardt, who might have been a little bit humble there, because not only was he a very, very good basketballer in the National Basketball League, which is the top competition for clubs in Australia but, indeed, he played a lot of regional basketball at a very high level, including in Albury-Wodonga, near my electorate.”
“I rise today to speak in support of the Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Amendment Bill 2026. I have to say I was very excited when I walked into the Federation Chamber this afternoon and the first thing I heard was the member for Leichhardt talking about Australian legend Kieren Perkins.”
Tom Venning LIB
“Last week, many of us had the privilege of meeting some remarkable young Australians here in Parliament House: athletes preparing to represent our nation at the upcoming Commonwealth Games. It was a powerful reminder of what Australian sport means to this country. These young men and women have dedicated years of their lives to chasing excellence.”
Steve Georganas ALP
“The major sporting events here in Australia are woven into the fabric of our Australian identity whether it be the AFL that we all love, tennis, cricket, the wonderful round ball football that we’re watching Australia compete in or whether it be motor motorcycle events like the MotoGP, which is currently held in Melbourne but will be held in Adelaide in 2027.”
Ms PRICE
“I rise to speak on the Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Amendment Bill 2026. The one thing that unites Australians—and even more so here in Parliament House—is sport. Whether it be AFL, rugby, basketball, cricket or soccer, Australians certainly know how to unite and to barrack for their team. The current FIFA World Cup has shown this.”
Jess Walsh ALP
“I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted.”
Sarah Henderson LIB
“I rise to speak on the Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Amendment Bill 2026. The coalition strongly supports protecting the commercial rights, images and indicia associated with major sporting events, but those protections already exist. This bill is about something very different.”
“The Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Act 2014 prevents the unauthorised commercial use, often called ’ambush marketing’, of protected major sporting events and images associated with those events. Previously, designating an event required a bill, which cost taxpayers’ money to draft and process through the parliament.”
Nita Green ALP
“Thank you for all the contributions on the Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Amendment Bill 2026 from those other senators. The bill before us modernises Australia’s framework for protecting the indicia and images associated with major sporting events.”