Ms MARTIN - 1995-08-16
Immediately preceding the Fannie Bay by-election, the government promised a number of improvements to Richardson Park in order to reduce the impact on nearby residents of light and noise emanating from the area when games are played there. If the Darwin Rugby League signs with the Super League, will these commitments still stand?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, can the member tell me what the arrangements are with the Super League? What is it proposing? The situation seems to be changing day by day.
I have deliberately avoided becoming involved in the discussions between the ARL, the Super League and the Northern Territory Rugby League for 2 reasons. Firstly, I support the Prime Minister in his view that this is not a matter in which politicians should become involved. Secondly, I believe strongly that we should not create a circumstance that would influence the
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decision one way or the other, but rather we should allow the Rugby League officials and members to consider where they believe the best long-term interests of their sport lie ...
Ms Martin: However, that is not the question.
Mr HATTON: Allow me to finish.
Ms Martin: Does the government's by-election commitment still stand?
Mr HATTON: Will you shut up and listen?
Ms Martin: You are not answering the question.
Mr HATTON: For these reasons, I will not say that, if they decide one way, I will do this or if they decide another way, I will do that. We have made commitments ...
Ms Martin: So the commitment is flexible.
Mr HATTON: Do you want to listen or do you want to talk? You cannot have it both ways. I am halfway through answering the specific question when you decide to interrupt. If you want to continue doing that, we will continue to go round in circles. Otherwise, you can sit quietly and listen.
The government made commitments during the by-election, and each of those commitments is well worth analysing. We are still working towards implementing those commitments. Certainly, the negotiations vis-a-vis Super League have deflected somewhat the minds of the people within the Rugby League community. We have been unable to bring to fruition the Good Neighbourhood Policy Committee. However, both parties have agreed to participate in that and, once the current issue is out of the way, we will move as quickly as possible to implement it.
The Department of Transport and Works has consultants analysing the civil works processes associated with the car parking, entrance area and lighting. I understand that funding has been provided already for a lower impact sound system for the small games and other uses of the area. I understand also that there have been discussions with the other sports to try to reduce the frequency with which the facility is utilised.
As Minister for Education and Training, I have discussed with my department the development of facilities at Ludmilla School. The Departments of Education, Transport and Works, and Sport and Recreation will be working on issues such as the upgrade of the area for the second major oval and the improvement of the school play area between the school and the Rugby League's grounds. In agreement with the school council and the school community, the small fields in that area could be utilised outside of school hours for junior games. All of that is progressing satisfactorily. We have not deflected from that process at all. There is no reason to assume, at this stage, that there would be a need to change any of those arrangements.
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I do not know what the outcome will be. However, to take a wild example, if a Winfield Cup-style game were to be held with those giant lights in full play at Richardson Park every Saturday or every second Sunday, what would the member's constituents have to say about it and should we give consideration to such an eventuality? I cannot address that question because it is not before us. I have been told only that Super League is proposing a sponsorship for Rugby League, that the Rugby League would continue to manage and run its own affairs, and that it would not effectively become a business. If that is the case, there will be no problems. If it is not the case, obviously we will have to consider a level of government involvement. I am sure that the member would expect me to rethink our approach if major changes were to affect the utilisation of Richardson Park. However, the question is not before us at this time. I do not propose to express a view in favour of one group or the other, except to reiterate what I have said and actively to encourage the Rugby League community to think about the question and what is in the long-term interests of its sport.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, can the member tell me what the arrangements are with the Super League? What is it proposing? The situation seems to be changing day by day.
I have deliberately avoided becoming involved in the discussions between the ARL, the Super League and the Northern Territory Rugby League for 2 reasons. Firstly, I support the Prime Minister in his view that this is not a matter in which politicians should become involved. Secondly, I believe strongly that we should not create a circumstance that would influence the
Page 714
decision one way or the other, but rather we should allow the Rugby League officials and members to consider where they believe the best long-term interests of their sport lie ...
Ms Martin: However, that is not the question.
Mr HATTON: Allow me to finish.
Ms Martin: Does the government's by-election commitment still stand?
Mr HATTON: Will you shut up and listen?
Ms Martin: You are not answering the question.
Mr HATTON: For these reasons, I will not say that, if they decide one way, I will do this or if they decide another way, I will do that. We have made commitments ...
Ms Martin: So the commitment is flexible.
Mr HATTON: Do you want to listen or do you want to talk? You cannot have it both ways. I am halfway through answering the specific question when you decide to interrupt. If you want to continue doing that, we will continue to go round in circles. Otherwise, you can sit quietly and listen.
The government made commitments during the by-election, and each of those commitments is well worth analysing. We are still working towards implementing those commitments. Certainly, the negotiations vis-a-vis Super League have deflected somewhat the minds of the people within the Rugby League community. We have been unable to bring to fruition the Good Neighbourhood Policy Committee. However, both parties have agreed to participate in that and, once the current issue is out of the way, we will move as quickly as possible to implement it.
The Department of Transport and Works has consultants analysing the civil works processes associated with the car parking, entrance area and lighting. I understand that funding has been provided already for a lower impact sound system for the small games and other uses of the area. I understand also that there have been discussions with the other sports to try to reduce the frequency with which the facility is utilised.
As Minister for Education and Training, I have discussed with my department the development of facilities at Ludmilla School. The Departments of Education, Transport and Works, and Sport and Recreation will be working on issues such as the upgrade of the area for the second major oval and the improvement of the school play area between the school and the Rugby League's grounds. In agreement with the school council and the school community, the small fields in that area could be utilised outside of school hours for junior games. All of that is progressing satisfactorily. We have not deflected from that process at all. There is no reason to assume, at this stage, that there would be a need to change any of those arrangements.
Page 715
I do not know what the outcome will be. However, to take a wild example, if a Winfield Cup-style game were to be held with those giant lights in full play at Richardson Park every Saturday or every second Sunday, what would the member's constituents have to say about it and should we give consideration to such an eventuality? I cannot address that question because it is not before us. I have been told only that Super League is proposing a sponsorship for Rugby League, that the Rugby League would continue to manage and run its own affairs, and that it would not effectively become a business. If that is the case, there will be no problems. If it is not the case, obviously we will have to consider a level of government involvement. I am sure that the member would expect me to rethink our approach if major changes were to affect the utilisation of Richardson Park. However, the question is not before us at this time. I do not propose to express a view in favour of one group or the other, except to reiterate what I have said and actively to encourage the Rugby League community to think about the question and what is in the long-term interests of its sport.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016