Street violence in Victoria is directly impacted by mixed martial arts fighters competing in a cage.
Thats the sentiment that the Napthine government will take into the state election on November 29, while the opposition is promising to overturn a ban on caged MMA combat and open the door to a potential $50m windfall for the sporting capital of the world.
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Current legislation permits mixed martial arts (MMA) competition in Victoria. The state ban on the sport only applies to the arena in which MMA bouts can take place. Fighters can participate in the sport, but only in a traditional boxing ring, not a purpose built cage.
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"The Coalition Government has been very clear on its position and has no plans to reverse any decision on cage bans that was instituted by the Labor Government in 2008 due to its stylised street violence. Since 2008 public concern over street violence has only grown.
The efforts made to combat street violence on both of sides of politics have been very important over the last seven years, and is something the Victorian Coalition Government will continue," the statement read.
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The key argument for those who support a move to have Victorias cage-ban lifted is fighter safety.
Unlike boxing and kickboxing, MMA fighters engage in wrestling, grappling and ground fighting (Jiu Jitsu) in almost every bout. When these skills are put to work inside a roped ring, rather than a fenced-in enclosure, fighters can be subjected to injuries sustained outside the enclosed sporting arena.
If you are to allow cage fighting, it is best done in a cage. The traditional boxing ring was not designed for mixed martial arts competition, the Chairman of Australasias Ringside Medicine Association Dr Peter Lewis told MMA Kanvas.
The potential for (fighters) going over the top rope is very large. One of the few times where a (MMA) fighter has had to go to hospital by ambulance was when the fighter went over the top rope and landed on his neck and head, Dr Lewis recalls from his 25 years in the profession.
Working across boxing, kickboxing and MMA, Australias most experienced medical official has presided over some 20,000 fights in 31 capital cities around the world. He believes that the governments current ban, forcing MMA fights to take place in a boxing ring, rather than a cage is both bizarre and almost a suspension of logic.
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Interestingly, the cage ban was brought in by the Brumby Government (Labor) in 2008. This fact is not lost on the current Liberal government, who intend on upholding the current legislation should they serve a second term in power.
"The cage was banned by the previous Labor Government, the then Sports Minister and now deputy leader of the Opposition James Merlino said, 'I believe the spectacle of two competitors in cage combat-style competition does not meet the community's standards of what is acceptable for professional combat sports in Victoria.' . Community concerns on street violence have heightened since that time," the statement read.
Now serving as the opposition, Labor have changed their policy and will overturn the cage ban should they come into power in November. The Shadow Minister revealed that the policy shift is one that the opposition will look to implement should they be successful in the end of year, state election.
A lot more MMA events are being held now, and obviously its the fastest growing sport in all of the world. From time to time, governments need to fine-tune their policy and certainly in the last few months and in the time that Ive been the Shadow Minister for Sport Ive had a very close look at this.. this is a commitment that weve made, weve actually changed policy," he said.
