Mr RIOLI - 1995-02-23
The Northern Territory's pre-eminent sporting association, the Northern Territory Football League, has accused the minister of being mischievous and misleading over the NTFL's debts. This vote of no confidence in the minister has come about because, when the NTFL moved to Marrara, the government promised it would be at no cost to the league.
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When will the minister tell the truth about the NTFL's current financial situation, and when will he provide the league with the money it so clearly needs?
ANSWER
As they say in the history books, Mr Speaker, come in spinner. Let me preface my comments about the NTFL by reading to honourable members a letter that was received on 20 December 1994. It was addressed to the chief executive officer of the Department of Sport and Recreation and it reads:
Re urgent request for government funding assistance. Following our meeting earlier today, 20 December 1994, we wish to confirm the urgency of our request
for immediate funding in the order of $187 055. In effect, we are asking the government to reimburse the NTFL for the capital expenditure of building the corporate
boxes at Football Park.
Mr Stirling: You took all their reserves for maintenance.
Mr POOLE: That is exactly what I said in this House the other day. The letter continues:
It should be noted that these boxes are now a fixture within the stand and as such are in effect an asset of the Northern Territory government.
I have no argument with that.
The use of these funds by the NTFL for this purpose has drastically affected our cashflow and we believe these items are covered in Mr David Hunt's
financial assessment of the NTFL. This matter is critical to the financial viability of the NTFL and its immediate trading future. We seek an urgent
response from your minister.
Mr Ede: That is not what you said the other day.
Mr POOLE: That is exactly what I said the other day. I used the example that it quoted to us - that its major problem was the expenditure that was incurred on the provision ...
Mr Ede: That is not what it says.
Mr Bailey: That is not what it says. Will you table the letter?
Mr POOLE: I intend to table the letter.
The facts are that, on about 10 or 12 December, an approach was made by the NTFL to the Department of Sport and Recreation requesting urgent funding of about $200 000. Obviously, officers from the department sat down with the NTFL representatives. They had available to them a financial report that had been carried out by the Department of Industries and Development, and they discussed the NTFL's problems. It was decided at this meeting
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that, if any financial commitment by the Northern Territory was to be forthcoming, the whole scenario at the NTFL should be examined in more depth to enable a true financial picture to be given to Cabinet to enable it to make sensible decisions on the future of the NTFL. The appointment of an accountant was agreed between the department and the NTFL board. It was decided to appoint Mr Garraway to look at the books and to provide some cash projections for the NTFL over the next 5 years which the NTFL was unable to provide at that time. As a result, a report was received some 8 or 9 days ago, and we have had discussions with the NTFL since that time.
When I made the statement in the Assembly about the NTFL's financial problems, I believe I probably upset somebody in the NTFL and the claim now is that it all relates to operational costs at Marrara. After reading the report and the costings therein, I do not have any great argument with that. However, I must say, as was reported by some sections of the media last night, that the NTFL has clearly reversed its position. It approached the government to reimburse it for the cost of the corporate boxes. It is now arguing that it viewed that purely as a capital asset that could be bought by the government and that would get it out of the hole that it is in.
We require the opportunity to look at the various options. A meeting was held with the NTFL yesterday and the day before, and I presume there will be ongoing discussions. I will receivea paper indicating various options to be agreed by the Northern Territory government and the NTFL. When I receive that paper, I will take it to my Cabinet colleagues and we will determine what the government may do to help. At the end of the day, there is no way that the government will allow the Northern Territory Football League to collapse financially.
Some decisions need to be taken as to the level of recurrent financial support the government will provide to a number of sporting associations and organisations in the Northern Territory to maintain the quality of sport in the Northern Territory. Let me say that, unlike the opposition, the CLP government for many years has viewed sport and recreation as part of the quality of life of Territorians. I accept that that is now costing more. Some 10 years ago, it cost $4000 to $5000 a year to water an oval. In central Australia, it now costs $70 000 or $80 000. That demonstrates that some costs are moving beyond the reach of a small club. In the Northern Territory, a very small body of people work flat out for their chosen sports. I commend all those volunteers in our community who spend a great deal of time and effort on trying to run what are now becoming in effect quite large businesses. The returns are not always commensurate with the efforts that they put in.
In relation to the report, the umpire has made his accounting report and indicated what the picture is. As occurs on the sports field, some players are not prepared to accept the decision of the umpire. I am determined to resolve that. We will negotiate with them and we will arrive at a satisfactory conclusion because, as I said at the outset, we have no intention of allowing the NTFL to become history.
Mr Stirling: Will you table the report?
Mr POOLE: No. It has nothing to do with you. Over the last 3 years, the opposition has asked about 2 questions on sport. There has been an incredible lack of interest on the part of honourable members opposite. I would prefer that you tabled the pecuniary interests of
Page 444
Maurice Rioli to clarify whether or not he has a conflict of interest on this very matter because, as a manager, he represents the local sportsmen. Does he receive remuneration for ...
Mr BELL: A point or order, Mr Speaker! If the honourable minister wants to reflect on a member of this House, he must do so by way of substantive motion. The honourable minister has been in here long enough to know that. If the question he is being asked is getting under his skin to that extent, he really should be pulled up. It should be drawn to his attention that he cannot make comments like that. If he wants to do so, he has to move a substantive motion which, as a minister, he is able to do at any time.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. However, the minister should refer to the member for Arafura by his correct title.
Mr POOLE: Mr Speaker, I will not continue down that path, but let me say that I find amazing the total lack of interest members opposite demonstrate in the sports portfolio. In the last 2 or 3 years. they have asked only 2 or 3 questions about such a vital component of life in the Territory.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr POOLE: Let me conclude this saga, Mr Speaker, by reiterating that we are examining the problem. I am not giving anybody any firm commitments any more than I have given them to the NTFL. I will wait until we have determined the exact extent of the problem and how we can reach a fair solution. The government is willing to look at what needs to be done in relation to maintenance costs etc if that is where the problems lie.
I should clarify a comment that I made. The actual Garraway report does not mention the NTFL corporate boxes.
Mr Stirling: That is not what you said yesterday.
Mr POOLE: Read the Hansard and you will see exactly what I said. I have no difficulty with what I said. Only the DID report and the NTFL itself mentioned the boxes.
Mr Speaker, I am sure that we will resolve the matter, and we will continue to maintain the standard of sport and assist sporting groups in the Northern Territory. In this area, we have probably the best track record in the whole of Australia because it is a part of our way of life in the Northern Territory.
Page 445
Page 442
When will the minister tell the truth about the NTFL's current financial situation, and when will he provide the league with the money it so clearly needs?
ANSWER
As they say in the history books, Mr Speaker, come in spinner. Let me preface my comments about the NTFL by reading to honourable members a letter that was received on 20 December 1994. It was addressed to the chief executive officer of the Department of Sport and Recreation and it reads:
Re urgent request for government funding assistance. Following our meeting earlier today, 20 December 1994, we wish to confirm the urgency of our request
for immediate funding in the order of $187 055. In effect, we are asking the government to reimburse the NTFL for the capital expenditure of building the corporate
boxes at Football Park.
Mr Stirling: You took all their reserves for maintenance.
Mr POOLE: That is exactly what I said in this House the other day. The letter continues:
It should be noted that these boxes are now a fixture within the stand and as such are in effect an asset of the Northern Territory government.
I have no argument with that.
The use of these funds by the NTFL for this purpose has drastically affected our cashflow and we believe these items are covered in Mr David Hunt's
financial assessment of the NTFL. This matter is critical to the financial viability of the NTFL and its immediate trading future. We seek an urgent
response from your minister.
Mr Ede: That is not what you said the other day.
Mr POOLE: That is exactly what I said the other day. I used the example that it quoted to us - that its major problem was the expenditure that was incurred on the provision ...
Mr Ede: That is not what it says.
Mr Bailey: That is not what it says. Will you table the letter?
Mr POOLE: I intend to table the letter.
The facts are that, on about 10 or 12 December, an approach was made by the NTFL to the Department of Sport and Recreation requesting urgent funding of about $200 000. Obviously, officers from the department sat down with the NTFL representatives. They had available to them a financial report that had been carried out by the Department of Industries and Development, and they discussed the NTFL's problems. It was decided at this meeting
Page 443
that, if any financial commitment by the Northern Territory was to be forthcoming, the whole scenario at the NTFL should be examined in more depth to enable a true financial picture to be given to Cabinet to enable it to make sensible decisions on the future of the NTFL. The appointment of an accountant was agreed between the department and the NTFL board. It was decided to appoint Mr Garraway to look at the books and to provide some cash projections for the NTFL over the next 5 years which the NTFL was unable to provide at that time. As a result, a report was received some 8 or 9 days ago, and we have had discussions with the NTFL since that time.
When I made the statement in the Assembly about the NTFL's financial problems, I believe I probably upset somebody in the NTFL and the claim now is that it all relates to operational costs at Marrara. After reading the report and the costings therein, I do not have any great argument with that. However, I must say, as was reported by some sections of the media last night, that the NTFL has clearly reversed its position. It approached the government to reimburse it for the cost of the corporate boxes. It is now arguing that it viewed that purely as a capital asset that could be bought by the government and that would get it out of the hole that it is in.
We require the opportunity to look at the various options. A meeting was held with the NTFL yesterday and the day before, and I presume there will be ongoing discussions. I will receivea paper indicating various options to be agreed by the Northern Territory government and the NTFL. When I receive that paper, I will take it to my Cabinet colleagues and we will determine what the government may do to help. At the end of the day, there is no way that the government will allow the Northern Territory Football League to collapse financially.
Some decisions need to be taken as to the level of recurrent financial support the government will provide to a number of sporting associations and organisations in the Northern Territory to maintain the quality of sport in the Northern Territory. Let me say that, unlike the opposition, the CLP government for many years has viewed sport and recreation as part of the quality of life of Territorians. I accept that that is now costing more. Some 10 years ago, it cost $4000 to $5000 a year to water an oval. In central Australia, it now costs $70 000 or $80 000. That demonstrates that some costs are moving beyond the reach of a small club. In the Northern Territory, a very small body of people work flat out for their chosen sports. I commend all those volunteers in our community who spend a great deal of time and effort on trying to run what are now becoming in effect quite large businesses. The returns are not always commensurate with the efforts that they put in.
In relation to the report, the umpire has made his accounting report and indicated what the picture is. As occurs on the sports field, some players are not prepared to accept the decision of the umpire. I am determined to resolve that. We will negotiate with them and we will arrive at a satisfactory conclusion because, as I said at the outset, we have no intention of allowing the NTFL to become history.
Mr Stirling: Will you table the report?
Mr POOLE: No. It has nothing to do with you. Over the last 3 years, the opposition has asked about 2 questions on sport. There has been an incredible lack of interest on the part of honourable members opposite. I would prefer that you tabled the pecuniary interests of
Page 444
Maurice Rioli to clarify whether or not he has a conflict of interest on this very matter because, as a manager, he represents the local sportsmen. Does he receive remuneration for ...
Mr BELL: A point or order, Mr Speaker! If the honourable minister wants to reflect on a member of this House, he must do so by way of substantive motion. The honourable minister has been in here long enough to know that. If the question he is being asked is getting under his skin to that extent, he really should be pulled up. It should be drawn to his attention that he cannot make comments like that. If he wants to do so, he has to move a substantive motion which, as a minister, he is able to do at any time.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. However, the minister should refer to the member for Arafura by his correct title.
Mr POOLE: Mr Speaker, I will not continue down that path, but let me say that I find amazing the total lack of interest members opposite demonstrate in the sports portfolio. In the last 2 or 3 years. they have asked only 2 or 3 questions about such a vital component of life in the Territory.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr POOLE: Let me conclude this saga, Mr Speaker, by reiterating that we are examining the problem. I am not giving anybody any firm commitments any more than I have given them to the NTFL. I will wait until we have determined the exact extent of the problem and how we can reach a fair solution. The government is willing to look at what needs to be done in relation to maintenance costs etc if that is where the problems lie.
I should clarify a comment that I made. The actual Garraway report does not mention the NTFL corporate boxes.
Mr Stirling: That is not what you said yesterday.
Mr POOLE: Read the Hansard and you will see exactly what I said. I have no difficulty with what I said. Only the DID report and the NTFL itself mentioned the boxes.
Mr Speaker, I am sure that we will resolve the matter, and we will continue to maintain the standard of sport and assist sporting groups in the Northern Territory. In this area, we have probably the best track record in the whole of Australia because it is a part of our way of life in the Northern Territory.
Page 445
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016