Mr HIGGINS - 2014-03-26
Planning is well under way for this year’s Masters Games in Alice Springs. Can you please update the House on the many initiatives the Country Liberals government is implementing to make the 2014 event a great success?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I believe it was asked of me in my capacity as Minister for Central Australia, so I might also expand on the government’s plan for Central Australia.
We have articulated very well over the last few days, during these sittings, the government’s plans for growing the economy, our health sector, infrastructure sector, primary industry sector, dedication to our parks and our commitment to tourism. It is about plans for the future. This government has done a terrific job over the last couple of weeks, highlighting and articulating those plans.
By highlighting those plans so well, we have also exposed the lack of planning by members of the Labor Party. Their plans are a race to the bottom of Territory politics, which we are more than happy for them to win. While they have no plans, we have a plan and part of the plan is the Masters Games.
We are committed to this event in Central Australia. It brings thousands of people to the doorstep of the Northern Territory and, in this case, the centre. We have an active marketing program to make this year’s Masters Games the best yet. Like Franois Mitterrand used to say, ‘These are the best games ever’, which is what we would like to see with …
Mr Wood: Has he been to Alice Springs?
Mr CONLAN: He may well have, member for Nelson. We have a plan and commitment to make the Masters Games of 2014 the best ever, I am pleased to say registrations are open and there are still six months to go. We already have a number of sports nearly booked out. One of them is booked out - clay target shooting. It has attracted 76 registrations and cannot accept any more competitors. This is great news and it looks like we are well on track. AFL 9s is also being introduced this year. It is a competition open to men aged 30 plus and is generating a stack of interest with Aussie rules fans too.
Other sports which have already attracted huge numbers are golf, lawn bowls, baseball and hockey. We have received registrations for 94 volunteers, which is fantastic news. Member for Nelson, I am sure you will be down there again this year.
I am also pleased to announce a new initiative – it is not so much new, but we have brought back the old concept - which is putting the games centre in the middle of town. We have had some great success over the years with it at the convention centre, but research has told us, and anecdotal evidence suggested, it is great to have it in the town to reinvigorate the CBD and entice a bit of retail therapy while people are walking through, checking out the results and what else is on the games calendar for the week.
I encourage everyone to participate. The people from the Labor Party, I am sure, have a great history of not engaging, respecting, or liking Alice Springs, but I urge you this year to get down to the wonderful community in Central Australia. Show the people there you do care a little. Not a bad idea.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I believe it was asked of me in my capacity as Minister for Central Australia, so I might also expand on the government’s plan for Central Australia.
We have articulated very well over the last few days, during these sittings, the government’s plans for growing the economy, our health sector, infrastructure sector, primary industry sector, dedication to our parks and our commitment to tourism. It is about plans for the future. This government has done a terrific job over the last couple of weeks, highlighting and articulating those plans.
By highlighting those plans so well, we have also exposed the lack of planning by members of the Labor Party. Their plans are a race to the bottom of Territory politics, which we are more than happy for them to win. While they have no plans, we have a plan and part of the plan is the Masters Games.
We are committed to this event in Central Australia. It brings thousands of people to the doorstep of the Northern Territory and, in this case, the centre. We have an active marketing program to make this year’s Masters Games the best yet. Like Franois Mitterrand used to say, ‘These are the best games ever’, which is what we would like to see with …
Mr Wood: Has he been to Alice Springs?
Mr CONLAN: He may well have, member for Nelson. We have a plan and commitment to make the Masters Games of 2014 the best ever, I am pleased to say registrations are open and there are still six months to go. We already have a number of sports nearly booked out. One of them is booked out - clay target shooting. It has attracted 76 registrations and cannot accept any more competitors. This is great news and it looks like we are well on track. AFL 9s is also being introduced this year. It is a competition open to men aged 30 plus and is generating a stack of interest with Aussie rules fans too.
Other sports which have already attracted huge numbers are golf, lawn bowls, baseball and hockey. We have received registrations for 94 volunteers, which is fantastic news. Member for Nelson, I am sure you will be down there again this year.
I am also pleased to announce a new initiative – it is not so much new, but we have brought back the old concept - which is putting the games centre in the middle of town. We have had some great success over the years with it at the convention centre, but research has told us, and anecdotal evidence suggested, it is great to have it in the town to reinvigorate the CBD and entice a bit of retail therapy while people are walking through, checking out the results and what else is on the games calendar for the week.
I encourage everyone to participate. The people from the Labor Party, I am sure, have a great history of not engaging, respecting, or liking Alice Springs, but I urge you this year to get down to the wonderful community in Central Australia. Show the people there you do care a little. Not a bad idea.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016