Well, let's put it another way - on what basis would anyone think that WADA has powers to affect the livelihood of Australians, to earn their income entirely inside Australia, with no right for legal redress within the Australian legal system in cases of an unjust decision?
Does WADA sit above our Parliament and legal system?
I'm honestly surprised anyone would believe that.
In fact, I'm even more surprised that some posters actually wish it.
I thought I would take you up on that suggestion and do some research myself. Having done so, I think you're wrong.Do some research on that and you'll see why I asked the question. The AFL is a signatory to the WADA code. As a signatory it has legally agreed to abide by the decisions made. Individuals may appeal to the International Court for arbitration in sport but there is no mechanism I can see for this to be appealed to any court in Australia.
ASADA is (unsurprisingly) established by way of the eponymous Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Act 2006 (ASADA Act). The ASADA Act is Commonwealth legislation. Relevantly, it also provides for the existence of the National Anti-Doping Scheme (NADS).
Sections 61 to 63 of the NADS deal with use of a drug or doping method. Section 63 specifically provides that an athlete may appeal a finding by ASADA of use of a drug or doping method to the Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). As I understand it, the AAT would carry out a merits review and appeals from any decision of the AAT would be open to the Federal Court on questions of law.
I don't pretend to have researched the issue exhaustively, but there is no doubt this could be dealt with in Australian courts, even if just in part.
Search the Copenhagen Declaration
Irrelevant in its terms. International conventions need to be ratified by Australian law to have effect, and then any "effect" of the convention is through the legislative instrument.This will not apply in this case. Do as Armchair Critic suggests and read about the Copenhagen Declaration. There is no mechanism for a club or player to have an appeal heard in an Australian Court of Law.