Mr BONSON - 2006-08-30
The recent Western Bulldogs premiership game against Port Adelaide was a real success. Can you please update the House on the government’s efforts to secure the future of such quality AFL games for the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. As we know, the Bonsons are a great Territory football family. We go through the Bonson Gates as we enter TIO Stadium.
It was probably the best game of the three we have had in Darwin. It went right down to the wire; an absolute nail biter. We had a huge crowd. It was enjoyed by more than 14 000 Territorians. Unfortunately, on the night the Bulldogs did not quite make it and Port took out the game. However, the good news is the Doggies have made the finals and we wish them all the very best.
With a crowd of more than 14 000 people, it shows just how much Territorians love their football. We were not enjoying elite level football in the Northern Territory until Labor came to power and Labor delivered …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms LAWRIE: I know the CLP like to talk down elite sport in the Northern Territory, but Territorians show they love it. 14 000-plus people demonstrates that we love our footy. Much bigger cities like Canberra and the Gold Coast area only draw crowds of around 8000 to 9000. We are punching above our weight. There were 10 000 people at a pre-season game in Alice Springs earlier this year. It puts those cities to absolute shame. Good on the people of Alice Springs for supporting their footy.
The Northern Territory is at the end of a three year deal with the AFL. We have been in negotiations with the AFL. I have been part of a task force which includes AFLNT and representatives of the AFL. The great support from Wayne Jackson has been invaluable. It has been a real partnership to bring AFL games here. We have made no secret of the fact that we have a strong relationship with the Bulldogs, they have been on the task force. We have been seeking two games. We said that the one game has been fantastic, Territorians are showing their support, but we sought two games.
The AFL have come back to us and said, at this stage, they only have capacity to give us one game. It is a shame. I have kept them on notice, as the sports minister representing the punter who loves their footy. I have said that we are not going to give up on going for two games in the future. The AFL is absolutely committed to continuing along the current agreement. This will involve an indigenous All Stars game, pre-season games in both Alice Springs and Darwin, and a regular season Bulldogs game in Darwin. A new agreement is currently being finalised and will be announced shortly.
Madam Speaker, last week we saw the last AFL game for a great Territory footballer, Dean Rioli. While talking to Charlie King last week, Dean let it slip that Essendon will be the opponents of the Indigenous All Stars at next year’s game. That will be some exciting football. I am sure that every member of this House will wish Dean Rioli all the very best for his future. He has been a fantastic player.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. As we know, the Bonsons are a great Territory football family. We go through the Bonson Gates as we enter TIO Stadium.
It was probably the best game of the three we have had in Darwin. It went right down to the wire; an absolute nail biter. We had a huge crowd. It was enjoyed by more than 14 000 Territorians. Unfortunately, on the night the Bulldogs did not quite make it and Port took out the game. However, the good news is the Doggies have made the finals and we wish them all the very best.
With a crowd of more than 14 000 people, it shows just how much Territorians love their football. We were not enjoying elite level football in the Northern Territory until Labor came to power and Labor delivered …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms LAWRIE: I know the CLP like to talk down elite sport in the Northern Territory, but Territorians show they love it. 14 000-plus people demonstrates that we love our footy. Much bigger cities like Canberra and the Gold Coast area only draw crowds of around 8000 to 9000. We are punching above our weight. There were 10 000 people at a pre-season game in Alice Springs earlier this year. It puts those cities to absolute shame. Good on the people of Alice Springs for supporting their footy.
The Northern Territory is at the end of a three year deal with the AFL. We have been in negotiations with the AFL. I have been part of a task force which includes AFLNT and representatives of the AFL. The great support from Wayne Jackson has been invaluable. It has been a real partnership to bring AFL games here. We have made no secret of the fact that we have a strong relationship with the Bulldogs, they have been on the task force. We have been seeking two games. We said that the one game has been fantastic, Territorians are showing their support, but we sought two games.
The AFL have come back to us and said, at this stage, they only have capacity to give us one game. It is a shame. I have kept them on notice, as the sports minister representing the punter who loves their footy. I have said that we are not going to give up on going for two games in the future. The AFL is absolutely committed to continuing along the current agreement. This will involve an indigenous All Stars game, pre-season games in both Alice Springs and Darwin, and a regular season Bulldogs game in Darwin. A new agreement is currently being finalised and will be announced shortly.
Madam Speaker, last week we saw the last AFL game for a great Territory footballer, Dean Rioli. While talking to Charlie King last week, Dean let it slip that Essendon will be the opponents of the Indigenous All Stars at next year’s game. That will be some exciting football. I am sure that every member of this House will wish Dean Rioli all the very best for his future. He has been a fantastic player.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016