Mr BONSON - 2005-02-15
The Arafura Games will be held in Darwin in May this year, and is a great boost to the Territory’s economy and lifestyle. What is the government doing to ensure the success of this great Territory event?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. Members would be aware that the Arafura Games targets developing athletes from Australia, the Asia-Pacific region, and beyond. The 2005 games are developing extremely well, with dedicated support from all our member countries. My department has engaged with members through ongoing correspondence, promotional travel and meetings with government and sporting officials. Despite the games’ cancellation in 2003 and the tragic disaster on Boxing Day last year, we are expecting greater numbers of participation in 2005 than in previous years, including increased events for disabled athletes.
In 2004, I personally travelled to Sri Lanka and Vietnam to discuss support for the games and, as a result, numbers - especially from the Vietnam region - are expected to increase considerably. One would, no doubt, understand that there possibly will not be much support coming from Sri Lanka given the tragedy that happened there on Boxing Day.
Accommodation through the Bedbank services have received inquiries from many Australians, including the Defence Forces, and from the following countries: Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Singapore, New Zealand, Fiji, Malaysia, Pakistan, New Caledonia, Hong Kong, United States, Japan, Nigeria, Nepal, India, Italy and Cameroon. Over 1274 expressions of interests have been received, with the figure growing weekly. This figure includes athletes and/or teams from as far away as the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force and also Italy.
Importantly, through collaboration with DBIRD and the Chamber of Commerce, business matching opportunities are being made available to all games’ participants, primarily targeting our national and international visitors. This will only further enhance opportunities for Territory businesses.
Plans for the opening and closing ceremonies are well advanced and promise to be spectacular events. In fact, I am told that the opening ceremony will be one of the largest entertainment production challenges undertaken in Darwin for some time.
The coordination between the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade, my department and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs has been ongoing to allow for mutual access to the registration database. The database allows for ease of transaction and access for Arafura participants to visas and security. Visas are also awarded free to athletes through this system.
In light of previous events, comprehensive security and emergency response planning is being undertaken by my department, NT Police and Risk Management Services. Facilities are under preparation, as are preparations for the international sports conference which will be held to coincide with the games. In November last year, I was proud to welcome to their roles the 30-odd coordinators for the games who will take carriage of individual areas of operation in conjunction with my event staff.
As I have stated, planning is well under way for this event, and I anticipate that the 2005 Arafura Games will be a great success, contributing to both the Territory lifestyle and our economy, which is all part of keeping the Territory moving ahead.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. Members would be aware that the Arafura Games targets developing athletes from Australia, the Asia-Pacific region, and beyond. The 2005 games are developing extremely well, with dedicated support from all our member countries. My department has engaged with members through ongoing correspondence, promotional travel and meetings with government and sporting officials. Despite the games’ cancellation in 2003 and the tragic disaster on Boxing Day last year, we are expecting greater numbers of participation in 2005 than in previous years, including increased events for disabled athletes.
In 2004, I personally travelled to Sri Lanka and Vietnam to discuss support for the games and, as a result, numbers - especially from the Vietnam region - are expected to increase considerably. One would, no doubt, understand that there possibly will not be much support coming from Sri Lanka given the tragedy that happened there on Boxing Day.
Accommodation through the Bedbank services have received inquiries from many Australians, including the Defence Forces, and from the following countries: Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Singapore, New Zealand, Fiji, Malaysia, Pakistan, New Caledonia, Hong Kong, United States, Japan, Nigeria, Nepal, India, Italy and Cameroon. Over 1274 expressions of interests have been received, with the figure growing weekly. This figure includes athletes and/or teams from as far away as the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force and also Italy.
Importantly, through collaboration with DBIRD and the Chamber of Commerce, business matching opportunities are being made available to all games’ participants, primarily targeting our national and international visitors. This will only further enhance opportunities for Territory businesses.
Plans for the opening and closing ceremonies are well advanced and promise to be spectacular events. In fact, I am told that the opening ceremony will be one of the largest entertainment production challenges undertaken in Darwin for some time.
The coordination between the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade, my department and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs has been ongoing to allow for mutual access to the registration database. The database allows for ease of transaction and access for Arafura participants to visas and security. Visas are also awarded free to athletes through this system.
In light of previous events, comprehensive security and emergency response planning is being undertaken by my department, NT Police and Risk Management Services. Facilities are under preparation, as are preparations for the international sports conference which will be held to coincide with the games. In November last year, I was proud to welcome to their roles the 30-odd coordinators for the games who will take carriage of individual areas of operation in conjunction with my event staff.
As I have stated, planning is well under way for this event, and I anticipate that the 2005 Arafura Games will be a great success, contributing to both the Territory lifestyle and our economy, which is all part of keeping the Territory moving ahead.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016