Page 423 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 21 February 1990
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We have seen Canberra used more recently as an international cycling venue. Apart from the rain last year, which impaired the international cycling event in association with the Commonwealth Bank cycle race, it should help put the ACT on the map in that sport. The list of the extent to which our facilities are of international standard goes on.
The successes of the ACT in sport cannot be overlooked. We find successes among the young and the older. Our team in the masters games in Adelaide late last year participated very successfully. Our young people are continually travelling interstate and overseas to compete successfully. Our disabled athletes are among the best in the world. Both physically and intellectually disabled athletes from the ACT have had major achievements. Men and women equally have demonstrated success. We have had success in rugby league, basketball, cricket, various sports for the disabled and ice hockey, with a range of outstanding athletes in individual and team sports. The list goes on and shows the importance of sport in the ACT, the significance of its role in our community and the classic demonstration of how Australians love their sport and how, in this respect, Canberrans are so typically Australian.
So sport in the ACT is important, and government has a fundamental role to play. It spans every aspect of sporting activity, it relates to assistance with funding of sport and has a role in relation to the organisation of sport. One of the best examples of the role of government locally in the organisation of sport relates to Sports House and the separate operation of a department of sport, recreation and racing. It has a role in encouraging, facilitating and financing coaching development, the provision of sporting facilities and the development of sports administration. All this demonstrates how important sport is to us and the role that government should play.
That takes us to the attitude of the Trevor Kaine Government to sport. Maybe its attitude reflects the active participation in sport that we observe within the ministry, and that is the motivation for the level of - - -
Mr Jensen: What was your sport, Paul?
MR WHALAN: Norm, I will tell you after, when we are not on record. Maybe that is the motivation for the level of involvement in sporting policy. After two-and-a-half months in office this Government has not produced a sports policy. It is deplorable that one of the most important areas of community activity and concern has been absolutely and totally ignored. I have seen displayed a poster comparing sport with the arts. It shows a rock band with the guitarist playing a tennis racquet. The caption is that more Australians play musical instruments than play sport. I am quite pleased that it might be the case, and I hope it is, but if that is the case there are many more musicians in Australia than I expected.
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