Mr WARREN - 2008-05-01
Our fantastic Dry Season is here again and Territorians are out there enjoying themselves and getting right into the swing of things. Can you please tell the House what events the government has helped to attract to make our great lifestyle even better this Dry Season?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. I speak for everybody in this Chamber - well, nearly everybody - that it is going to be an absolutely fantastic Dry Season for the events that are not only going to be supported by Territorians, but tourists are going to come to the Territory in their droves.
We have helped to attract some great events such as the Crusty Demons – I did not get to see them last year but I will definitely go with my kids this year. Obviously, we are very proud to have brought AFL to the Northern Territory, not only to Darwin but also to Alice Springs. Regarding international cricket, my colleague, the Sports minister, made a great announcement a few weeks ago about international cricket again coming to the Top End. Also, the Heineken 7s, the Rugby Union tournament, is an absolutely fantastic start after the Wet Season, with heaps of tourists coming to town.
This afternoon, I will talk about the two biggest music gigs in the NT – BassintheGrass and Sir Elton John. What a fantastic line-up coming up. Leading Australian rock bands Powderfinger and Wolfmother will headline this year. I went last year, I am looking forward to going again this year. Other bands taking their place on the dual stage include the Hilltop Hoods – and I hope they are up the order a bit this year - The Audreys and Hercules in NY. It is also a great opportunity for our local bands to be showcased and I look forward to making an announcement on that very soon.
Last year, BassintheGrass attracted over 7000 people for the 12-hour music-fest, and what a fantastic evening it was. It will be held at Darwin Amphitheatre on Saturday, 24 May, with gates open at 11 am. I look forward to seeing lots of Territorians there on what is going to be a great night.
We also got behind the push to bring Sir Elton John to Darwin. It was something that my colleague, the Tourism Minister, came to speak to me about. It is not every day that you get to have the opportunity to bring one of the world’s greatest entertainers to Darwin. Little old Darwin, just over 100 000 people, and the opportunity to get Sir Elton John! We grabbed that opportunity with both hands. The whole city has gotten behind it - well, nearly the whole city – and 11 000 tickets have already been sold. We have had to put another 1000 tickets on sale. It is going to be a great night on 17 May.
I was really pleased to see a letter to the editor on 24 April from somebody who said:
Again, I thank Paspaley’s for their support. The writer went on to say that many hundreds of dollars she would have spent in airfares and accommodation is now going to stay in the Northern Territory. What she would have spent going to Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne is going to stay in the Northern Territory.
However, there is always somebody who wants to ruin the party. There is always somebody who says turn the music down. There is always somebody who does not like to see people having fun. I just wonder who that person is? He just about opposes everything. He opposes great investment in the economy to build the economy; he is now opposing bringing international acts like Sir Elton John to Darwin. He does not like business, he does not like bands ...
Mr Mills: That is not true.
Mr HENDERSON: Leader of the Opposition, just what do you like? I hope to see you at Elton John. Do yourself a favour, get down there; it is going to be a fantastic night. Everybody is going to love to see you there. Come and join me in the mosh pit, down at BassintheGrass. I will see you in the mosh pit at BassintheGrass. Get out, have some fun. It is going to be a fantastic Dry Season. I look forward to seeing everybody at all of the great events, including the Leader of the Opposition.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. I speak for everybody in this Chamber - well, nearly everybody - that it is going to be an absolutely fantastic Dry Season for the events that are not only going to be supported by Territorians, but tourists are going to come to the Territory in their droves.
We have helped to attract some great events such as the Crusty Demons – I did not get to see them last year but I will definitely go with my kids this year. Obviously, we are very proud to have brought AFL to the Northern Territory, not only to Darwin but also to Alice Springs. Regarding international cricket, my colleague, the Sports minister, made a great announcement a few weeks ago about international cricket again coming to the Top End. Also, the Heineken 7s, the Rugby Union tournament, is an absolutely fantastic start after the Wet Season, with heaps of tourists coming to town.
This afternoon, I will talk about the two biggest music gigs in the NT – BassintheGrass and Sir Elton John. What a fantastic line-up coming up. Leading Australian rock bands Powderfinger and Wolfmother will headline this year. I went last year, I am looking forward to going again this year. Other bands taking their place on the dual stage include the Hilltop Hoods – and I hope they are up the order a bit this year - The Audreys and Hercules in NY. It is also a great opportunity for our local bands to be showcased and I look forward to making an announcement on that very soon.
Last year, BassintheGrass attracted over 7000 people for the 12-hour music-fest, and what a fantastic evening it was. It will be held at Darwin Amphitheatre on Saturday, 24 May, with gates open at 11 am. I look forward to seeing lots of Territorians there on what is going to be a great night.
We also got behind the push to bring Sir Elton John to Darwin. It was something that my colleague, the Tourism Minister, came to speak to me about. It is not every day that you get to have the opportunity to bring one of the world’s greatest entertainers to Darwin. Little old Darwin, just over 100 000 people, and the opportunity to get Sir Elton John! We grabbed that opportunity with both hands. The whole city has gotten behind it - well, nearly the whole city – and 11 000 tickets have already been sold. We have had to put another 1000 tickets on sale. It is going to be a great night on 17 May.
I was really pleased to see a letter to the editor on 24 April from somebody who said:
As a music lover, I am ecstatic that Elton John is coming to Darwin and that the government is supporting, along with Darwin businesses like Paspaley’s …
Again, I thank Paspaley’s for their support. The writer went on to say that many hundreds of dollars she would have spent in airfares and accommodation is now going to stay in the Northern Territory. What she would have spent going to Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne is going to stay in the Northern Territory.
However, there is always somebody who wants to ruin the party. There is always somebody who says turn the music down. There is always somebody who does not like to see people having fun. I just wonder who that person is? He just about opposes everything. He opposes great investment in the economy to build the economy; he is now opposing bringing international acts like Sir Elton John to Darwin. He does not like business, he does not like bands ...
Mr Mills: That is not true.
Mr HENDERSON: Leader of the Opposition, just what do you like? I hope to see you at Elton John. Do yourself a favour, get down there; it is going to be a fantastic night. Everybody is going to love to see you there. Come and join me in the mosh pit, down at BassintheGrass. I will see you in the mosh pit at BassintheGrass. Get out, have some fun. It is going to be a fantastic Dry Season. I look forward to seeing everybody at all of the great events, including the Leader of the Opposition.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016