Mr HAMPTON - 2008-05-06
Budget 2008-09 delivers for Territory families and is investing in our future. Can you please explain what this means for Sport and Recreation?
Mrs Braham: Are you sure he can answer it?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question. I love sport and recreation. I love the lifestyle sport and recreation delivers. I am very proud of our announcements we are about to make in Sport and Recreation.
I pick up on the member for Braitling’s comments. If she knew who to ask, who had the ministerial responsibilities for what, then we would not have had the confusion she caused herself. Yes, I do want to answer this question.
The 2008-09 Budget delivers for Territorians. It is about investing in our future. Territorians love their sport; sport and recreation is an important part of our great lifestyle. We are committed to maximising sport and recreation opportunities for Territorians, no matter where they live – in urban, rural or remote areas.
Budget 2008-09 commits $25.8m to Sport and Recreation. Budget 2008-09 provides an extra $1m a year over the next two years for facilities and development grants to upgrade sporting infrastructure. This means $3.7m becomes available over the next two years for better sporting facilities for Territorians, and that helps all our local sporting bodies wherever they are. Better sporting facilities are a tangible investment in our future. There will be $1m a year for remote Sport and Recreation Offices under Closing the Gap. We have unlimited potential there to develop many of the issues that we have been talking about for many years in this House. Closing the Gap puts real money into these areas of great need.
Spending also includes $2.1m for a new five-year deal to secure international cricket for the Territory. Madam Speaker, I had the pleasure to be a part of the Legends cricket match when I bowled a few overs. I was bitterly disappointed when the umpire did not pay LBW, because I would have had myself a Test wicket.
Australia plays Bangladesh in a three-match One Day Series in the first international match as part of the new agreement. Games will be played in Darwin on 31 August, 3 September and 6 September - great for Territory families.
There is $900 000 for Stage 4 upgrades for Hidden Valley raceway; and $200 000 as part of a $1m package to get an AFL side into our national competition. We saw Austin Wonaeamirri kill them at the MCG on the weekend, and I am sure we can uncover a few more ...
Ms Scrymgour: At Tiwi.
Mr BONSON: They are all over the place there, member for Arafura. There is $4.8m for a netball centre which will also be built this year, due to be completed in early 2009.
Budget 2008-09 will also deliver more elite level sporting events than ever before. I am going to have to take a breath here, because here it comes: Australian Football League matches this Dry Season; an NBL match; the V8 Supercars; the Crusty Demons motorcycle riders spectacle - and I am looking forward to that; the Masters Games in Alice Springs - and unfortunately, I have to say, I am going to be a participant this year; I wish I was 21 again, but that ain’t happening; the Arafura Games in 2009; a National Rugby League match; and, of course, the Rugby Hottest 7s. Gee, we are looking forward to a busy time this year in sport and recreation.
We are committed to delivering the best in national and international sports by continuing to support grassroots Territory sport. Funding of $6.4m - I repeat, $6.4m - will go to grassroots sports and recreation. Grassroots – getting down to the kids. That is what we want we do: looking after Territory families. Little wonder the Territory is such a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Madam Speaker, Budget 2008-09 is all about delivering the future for Territory families and investing in the people of our future.
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Mrs Braham: Are you sure he can answer it?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question. I love sport and recreation. I love the lifestyle sport and recreation delivers. I am very proud of our announcements we are about to make in Sport and Recreation.
I pick up on the member for Braitling’s comments. If she knew who to ask, who had the ministerial responsibilities for what, then we would not have had the confusion she caused herself. Yes, I do want to answer this question.
The 2008-09 Budget delivers for Territorians. It is about investing in our future. Territorians love their sport; sport and recreation is an important part of our great lifestyle. We are committed to maximising sport and recreation opportunities for Territorians, no matter where they live – in urban, rural or remote areas.
Budget 2008-09 commits $25.8m to Sport and Recreation. Budget 2008-09 provides an extra $1m a year over the next two years for facilities and development grants to upgrade sporting infrastructure. This means $3.7m becomes available over the next two years for better sporting facilities for Territorians, and that helps all our local sporting bodies wherever they are. Better sporting facilities are a tangible investment in our future. There will be $1m a year for remote Sport and Recreation Offices under Closing the Gap. We have unlimited potential there to develop many of the issues that we have been talking about for many years in this House. Closing the Gap puts real money into these areas of great need.
Spending also includes $2.1m for a new five-year deal to secure international cricket for the Territory. Madam Speaker, I had the pleasure to be a part of the Legends cricket match when I bowled a few overs. I was bitterly disappointed when the umpire did not pay LBW, because I would have had myself a Test wicket.
Australia plays Bangladesh in a three-match One Day Series in the first international match as part of the new agreement. Games will be played in Darwin on 31 August, 3 September and 6 September - great for Territory families.
There is $900 000 for Stage 4 upgrades for Hidden Valley raceway; and $200 000 as part of a $1m package to get an AFL side into our national competition. We saw Austin Wonaeamirri kill them at the MCG on the weekend, and I am sure we can uncover a few more ...
Ms Scrymgour: At Tiwi.
Mr BONSON: They are all over the place there, member for Arafura. There is $4.8m for a netball centre which will also be built this year, due to be completed in early 2009.
Budget 2008-09 will also deliver more elite level sporting events than ever before. I am going to have to take a breath here, because here it comes: Australian Football League matches this Dry Season; an NBL match; the V8 Supercars; the Crusty Demons motorcycle riders spectacle - and I am looking forward to that; the Masters Games in Alice Springs - and unfortunately, I have to say, I am going to be a participant this year; I wish I was 21 again, but that ain’t happening; the Arafura Games in 2009; a National Rugby League match; and, of course, the Rugby Hottest 7s. Gee, we are looking forward to a busy time this year in sport and recreation.
We are committed to delivering the best in national and international sports by continuing to support grassroots Territory sport. Funding of $6.4m - I repeat, $6.4m - will go to grassroots sports and recreation. Grassroots – getting down to the kids. That is what we want we do: looking after Territory families. Little wonder the Territory is such a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Madam Speaker, Budget 2008-09 is all about delivering the future for Territory families and investing in the people of our future.
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016