Mr BONSON - 2002-02-26
Will the minister outline to the House the commitment the Labor government has to the Arafura Games?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I can say unequivocally that the 7th Arafura Games will be held in 2003 from 17 to 24 May, and the program will include a record of 32 sports, up from 29 in 2001. In fact, BMX racing will enter the Arafura Games for the first time, baseball also, and there will be a revised rugby union competition that will return and this will also be added to the sports that were contested at the 2001 Arafura Games.
Officers from Sport and Recreation are well into an 18 month campaign to attract athletes, particularly from overseas, to the 2003 Arafura Games, and it is expected that in excess of 5500 athletes and officials will take part in those games next year.
It is also worth pointing out that the event makes a substantial contribution to the Territory’s economy. In fact, the economic impact assessment carried out for the 2001 games estimated that $3.95m of additional expenditure was attributed to the Arafura Games resulting in a total economic impact of $5.13m.
It also has to be acknowledged that the issue of public liability insurance is creating difficulties for the organisers just as it is an issue causing problems right across the community. Nevertheless, recognising the importance of the Arafura Games, both as a sporting event and as a contributor to the Northern Territory economy, it is a problem that we will overcome. I can assure the parliament, the member for Millner and the community that there is no question mark, none at all, over the 2003 Arafura Games.
I also take this opportunity to encourage those Territorians who have creative ideas for the opening ceremony to submit their ideas to my department for judging as a part of the design competition.
For the organisational aspects and preparation for the Arafura Games, I will be calling on my colleagues, and also public servants from their departments, who wish to once again participate and volunteer their time for the Arafura Games. We will be seeking 300 or 400 volunteers to help out with the games. We have had, in the past, public servants who have actually taken recreation leave so that they could volunteer their time for the games. It is in that spirit we want to continue to ensure that the Arafura Games is bigger and better in 2003.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I can say unequivocally that the 7th Arafura Games will be held in 2003 from 17 to 24 May, and the program will include a record of 32 sports, up from 29 in 2001. In fact, BMX racing will enter the Arafura Games for the first time, baseball also, and there will be a revised rugby union competition that will return and this will also be added to the sports that were contested at the 2001 Arafura Games.
Officers from Sport and Recreation are well into an 18 month campaign to attract athletes, particularly from overseas, to the 2003 Arafura Games, and it is expected that in excess of 5500 athletes and officials will take part in those games next year.
It is also worth pointing out that the event makes a substantial contribution to the Territory’s economy. In fact, the economic impact assessment carried out for the 2001 games estimated that $3.95m of additional expenditure was attributed to the Arafura Games resulting in a total economic impact of $5.13m.
It also has to be acknowledged that the issue of public liability insurance is creating difficulties for the organisers just as it is an issue causing problems right across the community. Nevertheless, recognising the importance of the Arafura Games, both as a sporting event and as a contributor to the Northern Territory economy, it is a problem that we will overcome. I can assure the parliament, the member for Millner and the community that there is no question mark, none at all, over the 2003 Arafura Games.
I also take this opportunity to encourage those Territorians who have creative ideas for the opening ceremony to submit their ideas to my department for judging as a part of the design competition.
For the organisational aspects and preparation for the Arafura Games, I will be calling on my colleagues, and also public servants from their departments, who wish to once again participate and volunteer their time for the Arafura Games. We will be seeking 300 or 400 volunteers to help out with the games. We have had, in the past, public servants who have actually taken recreation leave so that they could volunteer their time for the games. It is in that spirit we want to continue to ensure that the Arafura Games is bigger and better in 2003.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016