Page 3535 - Week 13 - Thursday, 26 November 1992
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I raise that point because I, along with a number of other members of the Assembly, attended a luncheon yesterday where Mr Churches, who is responsible for the planning and development of the bid for Sydney 2000, was in attendance. I understand that the Minister may be making further reference to the issues that were raised there when he addresses this matter of public importance.
It is critical, in my view, that everybody in this Assembly unequivocally support this bid. They should not be diverted into pursuing pots of fool's gold at the end of the Commonwealth rainbow but should get their eye on the ball and remember what the main game is. The main game in this case is something that is achievable, and that is the Sydney 2000 bid. The benefits to the ACT would be inestimable. I hope that we see a proper turnaround this afternoon by those opposite and that during this matter of public importance discussion they come out and unequivocally support the Sydney 2000 bid. If they do not, they will stand condemned not only by everybody in the ACT but by all the people of Australia.
Mrs Carnell: It is all right; we do.
MR LAMONT: Mr Deputy Speaker, I commend the Sydney 2000 bid and wish them every success. I can hear from their interjections that those opposite have changed their minds already. Even now they are trying to jump on the band wagon and support it. I hope that on this occasion they do. I hope that they keep their eye on the ball and play the main game.
MR DE DOMENICO (3.32): Let me say to Mr Lamont that, yes, we always keep our eye on the ball, we always play the main game, and we never ever play the man, unless we are pushed in the back first. I am delighted that Mr Lamont attempted at the end to politicise the whole thing, because I can now be allowed to politicise it as well, Mr Deputy Speaker, and I shall. However, I will read my prepared speech first.
There is no doubt that major sporting events bring a wealth of benefits into the host country, State or Territory. An Olympic competition in Sydney in eight years' time will benefit not only Sydney but the whole of New South Wales, with considerable flow-on effects into the ACT. In this respect, the ACT Government will receive our agreement to support Sydney's bid. The Liberals congratulate the Government on its foresight. The Government has clearly and correctly perceived the benefits of major sporting events, even when 300 kilometres away and in a different State. The benefits of such a competition are substantive enough to warrant this Government lending its support to the proposal. Well done, Government.
In the same vein, it is a puzzle to me why, according to Mr Lamont's comments, this Government can understand the benefits of Sydney's bid for the Olympic Games but cannot grasp the benefits of our own bid for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. All major cities in Australia - Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth - have seen the benefits of securing major international sporting events. The reasons are not the love of sport alone but are based on the firm financial benefits which major sporting events attract.
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