Mr CONLAN - 2009-06-10
It has been reported that you are in negotiations with the AFL about the prospect of bringing a second home and away AFL game to the Northern Territory. Are you canvassing the option of that second game being played in Alice Springs and, if not, could you please tell the House why Alice Springs may not be considered to host the second home and away AFL game?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. Territorians love their footy; there is no doubt about that. It is the sport of choice for all people in the Territory. I follow Collingwood, so do not hold that against me.
The Territory government has worked hard over the years since 2001 to get these events into the Territory, and we have done a fantastic job. My predecessors, particularly John Ah Kit, did some great things with the national peak sporting bodies to bring national events to the Territory, not only football but many other sporting codes.
Those negotiations are under way. Obviously, I cannot say publicly what the details of those discussions are, but part of that is getting more premiership matches in the Territory. Being a Centralian and a footy lover, I will do my best to get what we can in Alice Springs. We have been very lucky over the years to get the AFL challenge matches here. I have been on the public record saying we want to see proper matches in Alice Springs, as well as in Darwin, and if it is a one team deal or two team deal, that is what is up for discussion. I will be doing the best I can for Territory sports lovers, for Centralian sports lovers, and I will be happy to tell the House in the near future what happens with those discussions.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. Territorians love their footy; there is no doubt about that. It is the sport of choice for all people in the Territory. I follow Collingwood, so do not hold that against me.
The Territory government has worked hard over the years since 2001 to get these events into the Territory, and we have done a fantastic job. My predecessors, particularly John Ah Kit, did some great things with the national peak sporting bodies to bring national events to the Territory, not only football but many other sporting codes.
Those negotiations are under way. Obviously, I cannot say publicly what the details of those discussions are, but part of that is getting more premiership matches in the Territory. Being a Centralian and a footy lover, I will do my best to get what we can in Alice Springs. We have been very lucky over the years to get the AFL challenge matches here. I have been on the public record saying we want to see proper matches in Alice Springs, as well as in Darwin, and if it is a one team deal or two team deal, that is what is up for discussion. I will be doing the best I can for Territory sports lovers, for Centralian sports lovers, and I will be happy to tell the House in the near future what happens with those discussions.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016