Mr HATTON - 1999-08-17
We have been reading some reports recently, and we have just heard, about native title problems and other issues in developing our tourism industry and activities around the Territory to provide a bit of sport and entertainment while maybe making some money for the Territory. I understand that my colleagues in central Australia and others have been lobbying to get something going in central Australia, and it appears that the Australian Safari is due to commence from Alice Springs on Saturday. Can the Chief Minister enlighten us about this activity, giving us a few details of the event and what benefits it might provide to the Northern Territory, particularly central Australia?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, it is a pleasure to speak about this great event that is about to begin. The Australian Safari is an internationally-recognised rally that features competitors from several countries driving cars and riding motorbikes. It will commence from Alice Springs at midday on Saturday 21 August. The safari will travel 5000 km throughout the Territory during the next eight days, to finish at Mindil Beach in Darwin on the following Saturday, 28 August.
For the first time, and indeed for the next five years, the Australian Safari will be held wholly within the Northern Territory. The Territory government, through the Major Events Co, is the major sponsor of the Australian Safari. This adds to existing sponsorship for other motor sports events - for example, the Finke Desert Race, which is becoming more and more successful, and the V8 Supercars, another outstandingly successful event.
For the interest of Territorians, the safari will overnight at various locations throughout the Territory, at Alice Springs for three nights, Ayers Rock for a night, Tennant Creek for a night, Kalkarindji for a night, Katherine for a night, and Darwin.
Media interest in the event has been strong, with confirmation that a film crew from Channel 7 is to travel with the event, providing coverage to national news services and live crosses to various daily programs. An additional production team and photographer will service other media outlets. A documentary video will be produced for screening on Channel 7 in Australia, and placements have been secured on several overseas networks. In addition, Australian motorcycle competitor David Dash will provide daily crosses to Speedvision, the USA’s leading motorsports channel. The race can also be followed via the Internet at the Australian Safari website, australiansafari.com.au.
Competitors have been drawn from Japan, the UK, the USA, the Netherlands, Dubai, Italy, France, Germany, New Zealand and, of course, Australia. Twenty one Japanese motorcyclists will compete, including the only female competitor, who will be entering her second Australian Safari. Among an international field of competitors will be Peter Brock, competing in a Holden Jackaroo, and television personality Glen Ridge from Sale of the Century, who will be driving a Nissan.
Alice Springs residents will have a pre-race opportunity to inspect the cars and bikes at the official scrutineering on Friday 20 August at Centralian College. My colleague, the Minister for Central Australia will flag off the 26 cars and 46 bikes from Stuart Rotary Park on South Terrace in Alice Springs at midday on Saturday 21 August, and I will welcome the competitors into Darwin on the completion of the rally at Mindil Beach on Saturday 28 August. I wish all competitors a safe and enjoyable rally and I invite Territorians to view the event when it’s in their own town. For the benefit of honourable members, I table a number of event programs.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, it is a pleasure to speak about this great event that is about to begin. The Australian Safari is an internationally-recognised rally that features competitors from several countries driving cars and riding motorbikes. It will commence from Alice Springs at midday on Saturday 21 August. The safari will travel 5000 km throughout the Territory during the next eight days, to finish at Mindil Beach in Darwin on the following Saturday, 28 August.
For the first time, and indeed for the next five years, the Australian Safari will be held wholly within the Northern Territory. The Territory government, through the Major Events Co, is the major sponsor of the Australian Safari. This adds to existing sponsorship for other motor sports events - for example, the Finke Desert Race, which is becoming more and more successful, and the V8 Supercars, another outstandingly successful event.
For the interest of Territorians, the safari will overnight at various locations throughout the Territory, at Alice Springs for three nights, Ayers Rock for a night, Tennant Creek for a night, Kalkarindji for a night, Katherine for a night, and Darwin.
Media interest in the event has been strong, with confirmation that a film crew from Channel 7 is to travel with the event, providing coverage to national news services and live crosses to various daily programs. An additional production team and photographer will service other media outlets. A documentary video will be produced for screening on Channel 7 in Australia, and placements have been secured on several overseas networks. In addition, Australian motorcycle competitor David Dash will provide daily crosses to Speedvision, the USA’s leading motorsports channel. The race can also be followed via the Internet at the Australian Safari website, australiansafari.com.au.
Competitors have been drawn from Japan, the UK, the USA, the Netherlands, Dubai, Italy, France, Germany, New Zealand and, of course, Australia. Twenty one Japanese motorcyclists will compete, including the only female competitor, who will be entering her second Australian Safari. Among an international field of competitors will be Peter Brock, competing in a Holden Jackaroo, and television personality Glen Ridge from Sale of the Century, who will be driving a Nissan.
Alice Springs residents will have a pre-race opportunity to inspect the cars and bikes at the official scrutineering on Friday 20 August at Centralian College. My colleague, the Minister for Central Australia will flag off the 26 cars and 46 bikes from Stuart Rotary Park on South Terrace in Alice Springs at midday on Saturday 21 August, and I will welcome the competitors into Darwin on the completion of the rally at Mindil Beach on Saturday 28 August. I wish all competitors a safe and enjoyable rally and I invite Territorians to view the event when it’s in their own town. For the benefit of honourable members, I table a number of event programs.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016