After a special exemption was required for a muai-tai fight in Canberra last month, the ACT Government has confirmed new legislation to cover all combats sports should be introduced to the Assembly in 2017.
The current Boxing Control ACT 1993 covers boxing and kickboxing contests and through its connection with the NSW regulatory scheme has a wider application that includes combat sports.
This means combat sports operating in the Territory are regulated by the Boxing Act under the Combat Sports Regulation 2014 (NSW).
However ACT promoters, including the organisers of the World Fight Australia show on December 17, were only made aware of this on December 8.
In the circumstances, Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry agreed to make a regulation to provide a 'one off' exemption for fight night so the conduct of the event would not constitute an offence under the Boxing Act.
The new ACT legislation expected to be introduced later this year will encompass all combat sports - including Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai, according to Active Canberra director Jenny Priest.
"The ACT Government has committed to reform in this area, releasing a policy position paper last September with a focus on developing legislative amendments and regulations to improve safety and integrity," Priest said.
"The existing legislation was put in place more than 20 years ago. There has been continued evolution in combat sports over this time and the growing popularity in various disciplines is evident.
"The local combat sport sector has been most willing to work with Government regarding legislative reform. There are risks involved in combat sports and the people within the industry recognise this and have embraced the need for reforms that help ensure equity for all stakeholders, better protect integrity of the sport, and importantly, maintain standards and safety of participants."