Mr GUNNER - 2009-10-19
How is the current government investing in the future of Aussie Rules in the Territory, and what benefits will this deliver for Territory footy fans?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. I know he supports Carlton and he supports the AFL, and it is a great sport.
It was my pleasure to be at TIO Stadium today, with Mr Tony Frawley, the CEO of AFLNT, to announce a new deal with the AFL. The new deal is worth $8m over five years, and is a fantastic agreement we have with the AFL’s Mr Andrew Demetriou as well.
What does that mean for the Northern Territory, Madam Speaker? It means we will now have 17 AFL games over five years. That is 17 AFL games, which I think is a great investment; 10 of those are premiership matches in Darwin at TIO stadium; five in Alice Springs, pre-season matches; and two Aboriginal All Star games staying right here in the Territory. I am proud to say that one of those All Star games in 2013 will be in Alice Springs, my home town. I am sure Central Australians will get behind that game in 2013.
It also means that this government, like never before, along with the AFL, is investing heavily in our infrastructure. We know you cannot get these types of games without great infrastructure. We have $1m from the Territory government and $1m from the AFL, together in one bucket that will go to improve both TIO Marrara and Traeger Park in Alice Springs. For TIO Marrara, it means new lights on the No 2 oval; upgrading the administration centre to deal with all their staff at TIO; new corporate areas on the southern end of the ground; and a new ablution block at the northern end. For Traeger Park in Alice Springs, it means a permanent toilet facility, which is much needed, along with the upgrade and completion of the media and coaches’ boxes.
It also means that we will have Port Adelaide as the home away from home team, and looking at their website this afternoon, they are very proud of the announcement. We know the Power have some really good connections with the Northern Territory. It will be rotating with three other teams, the Richmond Tigers; the Western Bulldogs who, over the years, have really established themselves here as the Darwin Doggies, and rounding that off is Melbourne, with their great Territory connection with the Walpiri Wizard, my young cousin, Liam Jurrah, along with Aaron Davey and Austin Wonaeamirri.
Madam Speaker, this is an historic agreement. I am extremely proud to be the Sport minister to deliver this on behalf of the Northern Territory government, and I am looking forward to those great games in the very near future. That $2m is a great way to reinvest into our business community. Many small contract works will be going to local businesses in the Territory, and it is a great way to round off a great agreement.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. I know he supports Carlton and he supports the AFL, and it is a great sport.
It was my pleasure to be at TIO Stadium today, with Mr Tony Frawley, the CEO of AFLNT, to announce a new deal with the AFL. The new deal is worth $8m over five years, and is a fantastic agreement we have with the AFL’s Mr Andrew Demetriou as well.
What does that mean for the Northern Territory, Madam Speaker? It means we will now have 17 AFL games over five years. That is 17 AFL games, which I think is a great investment; 10 of those are premiership matches in Darwin at TIO stadium; five in Alice Springs, pre-season matches; and two Aboriginal All Star games staying right here in the Territory. I am proud to say that one of those All Star games in 2013 will be in Alice Springs, my home town. I am sure Central Australians will get behind that game in 2013.
It also means that this government, like never before, along with the AFL, is investing heavily in our infrastructure. We know you cannot get these types of games without great infrastructure. We have $1m from the Territory government and $1m from the AFL, together in one bucket that will go to improve both TIO Marrara and Traeger Park in Alice Springs. For TIO Marrara, it means new lights on the No 2 oval; upgrading the administration centre to deal with all their staff at TIO; new corporate areas on the southern end of the ground; and a new ablution block at the northern end. For Traeger Park in Alice Springs, it means a permanent toilet facility, which is much needed, along with the upgrade and completion of the media and coaches’ boxes.
It also means that we will have Port Adelaide as the home away from home team, and looking at their website this afternoon, they are very proud of the announcement. We know the Power have some really good connections with the Northern Territory. It will be rotating with three other teams, the Richmond Tigers; the Western Bulldogs who, over the years, have really established themselves here as the Darwin Doggies, and rounding that off is Melbourne, with their great Territory connection with the Walpiri Wizard, my young cousin, Liam Jurrah, along with Aaron Davey and Austin Wonaeamirri.
Madam Speaker, this is an historic agreement. I am extremely proud to be the Sport minister to deliver this on behalf of the Northern Territory government, and I am looking forward to those great games in the very near future. That $2m is a great way to reinvest into our business community. Many small contract works will be going to local businesses in the Territory, and it is a great way to round off a great agreement.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016