Mr BALCH - 1997-11-27
Can the minister highlight the benefits of heat training in the Top End for teams and individuals competing in the Commonwealth Games which are to be held next year?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, honourable members would be aware that the Northern Territory government, in a very pro-active move, established the Northern Territory Institute of Sport some 18 months ago. In that short period, much has been achieved. The institute is held in extremely high regard by the community, in particular by the sporting community. We are looking at how it may be expanded in the future.
The Territory needs to build on its strengths. One of those strengths relates to the promotion of heat acclimatisation for our own Australian athletes and for athletes from overseas who may be travelling to another part of Australia or places with a similar climate. They may wish to stop off and use the benefits of our institute. Of course, this involves more than simply having the climate. Infrastructure has to be in place. The laboratory at the institute is world-class. Its testing capabilities match those of any such facility in Australia. Perhaps some other laboratories and institutes of sport have more equipment, but every piece of high-tech testing equipment in the south is matched by equipment in the Northern Territory. We are very proud of that.
Thanks to all this infrastructure that the Northern Territory government has installed, we are very likely to be hosting the entire New Zealand team for heat acclimatisation before it goes to Kuala Lumpur. In fact, the head of the New Zealand team, Mr Les Mills, who is also the mayor of Auckland, will be arriving in Darwin to inspect the facilities and to talk with officials and government ministers. Mr Mills is a former Olympian himself. He will be joined by his wife, Colleen, who is a member of New Zealand's Hilary Commission which is roughly
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equivalent to the Australian Sports Commission. This is a very high-powered family. While arrangements are still to be confirmed, there is an excellent chance that New Zealand will be using this as its stepping-off base for Kuala Lumpur. New Zealand is one of the big four in the Commonwealth Games, together with Australia, Canada and England. We could be looking at up to 400 team members practising and potentially competing against some local competitors to hone their skills.
There is much competition in this regard, particularly from Townsville and Cairns. Both of whose regions are larger than Darwin by a factor of 2, but the Northern Territory remains head and shoulders above them as a location for sporting organisations to conduct heat acclimatisation. There will be great spin-offs leading up to the 2000 Olympics. The Northern Territory is on the map as the ideal location with the ideal facilities for heat acclimatisation.
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr ADAMSON: Members of the opposition may not like that.
Mr Stone: It is a good story.
Mr Bailey: Make a statement or an adjournment speech on it. It is not a brief answer to a question.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr ADAMSON: If members of the opposition do not think that it is good news ...
Mr Bailey: It is good news, but it isn't Question Time material.
Mr ADAMSON: I am more than happy to pass on the comments of the opposition to the members of the New Zealand team.
Ms Martin: I will be happy to meet them any time, any place.
Mr ADAMSON: I do not think they will be happy to meet you. I was trying to tell you a few details, but you do not wish me to expand on this ...
Mr Bailey: This is not the time for ministerial statements.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr ADAMSON: It appears that the opposition does not wish to take up the invitation.
What we are doing is putting the Northern Territory very firmly on the map in terms of sports leadership, particularly in respect of heat acclimatisation. It is disappointing that members of the opposition can hear such good news - and I would have thought 400 athletes and all the support ...
Mr Stirling: Don't lie.
Mr ADAMSON: Madam Speaker, I ask for that to be withdrawn.
Madam SPEAKER: The member for Nhulunbuy will withdraw that remark.
Mr STIRLING: I withdraw.
Mr ADAMSON: It is good news that 400 athletes from one of our closest neighbours and allies may be coming to the Northern Territory. This will benefit both the Northern Territory and New Zealand. I guess it is the nature of the opposition that, even when we announce something that will benefit the sporting community, the general community and the economy, they treat it in such a way. However, I am sure all members on this side will welcome the New Zealand contingent and the couple who are arriving today. I ask the opposition to reconsider its position and welcome this very positive move.
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ANSWER
Madam Speaker, honourable members would be aware that the Northern Territory government, in a very pro-active move, established the Northern Territory Institute of Sport some 18 months ago. In that short period, much has been achieved. The institute is held in extremely high regard by the community, in particular by the sporting community. We are looking at how it may be expanded in the future.
The Territory needs to build on its strengths. One of those strengths relates to the promotion of heat acclimatisation for our own Australian athletes and for athletes from overseas who may be travelling to another part of Australia or places with a similar climate. They may wish to stop off and use the benefits of our institute. Of course, this involves more than simply having the climate. Infrastructure has to be in place. The laboratory at the institute is world-class. Its testing capabilities match those of any such facility in Australia. Perhaps some other laboratories and institutes of sport have more equipment, but every piece of high-tech testing equipment in the south is matched by equipment in the Northern Territory. We are very proud of that.
Thanks to all this infrastructure that the Northern Territory government has installed, we are very likely to be hosting the entire New Zealand team for heat acclimatisation before it goes to Kuala Lumpur. In fact, the head of the New Zealand team, Mr Les Mills, who is also the mayor of Auckland, will be arriving in Darwin to inspect the facilities and to talk with officials and government ministers. Mr Mills is a former Olympian himself. He will be joined by his wife, Colleen, who is a member of New Zealand's Hilary Commission which is roughly
Page 28
equivalent to the Australian Sports Commission. This is a very high-powered family. While arrangements are still to be confirmed, there is an excellent chance that New Zealand will be using this as its stepping-off base for Kuala Lumpur. New Zealand is one of the big four in the Commonwealth Games, together with Australia, Canada and England. We could be looking at up to 400 team members practising and potentially competing against some local competitors to hone their skills.
There is much competition in this regard, particularly from Townsville and Cairns. Both of whose regions are larger than Darwin by a factor of 2, but the Northern Territory remains head and shoulders above them as a location for sporting organisations to conduct heat acclimatisation. There will be great spin-offs leading up to the 2000 Olympics. The Northern Territory is on the map as the ideal location with the ideal facilities for heat acclimatisation.
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr ADAMSON: Members of the opposition may not like that.
Mr Stone: It is a good story.
Mr Bailey: Make a statement or an adjournment speech on it. It is not a brief answer to a question.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr ADAMSON: If members of the opposition do not think that it is good news ...
Mr Bailey: It is good news, but it isn't Question Time material.
Mr ADAMSON: I am more than happy to pass on the comments of the opposition to the members of the New Zealand team.
Ms Martin: I will be happy to meet them any time, any place.
Mr ADAMSON: I do not think they will be happy to meet you. I was trying to tell you a few details, but you do not wish me to expand on this ...
Mr Bailey: This is not the time for ministerial statements.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr ADAMSON: It appears that the opposition does not wish to take up the invitation.
What we are doing is putting the Northern Territory very firmly on the map in terms of sports leadership, particularly in respect of heat acclimatisation. It is disappointing that members of the opposition can hear such good news - and I would have thought 400 athletes and all the support ...
Mr Stirling: Don't lie.
Mr ADAMSON: Madam Speaker, I ask for that to be withdrawn.
Madam SPEAKER: The member for Nhulunbuy will withdraw that remark.
Mr STIRLING: I withdraw.
Mr ADAMSON: It is good news that 400 athletes from one of our closest neighbours and allies may be coming to the Northern Territory. This will benefit both the Northern Territory and New Zealand. I guess it is the nature of the opposition that, even when we announce something that will benefit the sporting community, the general community and the economy, they treat it in such a way. However, I am sure all members on this side will welcome the New Zealand contingent and the couple who are arriving today. I ask the opposition to reconsider its position and welcome this very positive move.
Page 29
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016