Page 3541 - Week 13 - Thursday, 26 November 1992
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
facilities is well down the track, with the development of major facilities at Homebush Bay, including the latest in international standard rowing and canoe courses. The harbour would provide a magnificent venue, as everybody would agree, for the yachting competitions. Sydney's air in early spring is another advantage, as it is much cleaner than that of its major bid competitors at that time of the year. None is cleaner than Canberra's, of course.
It is estimated that the economic benefits of the Olympics in the year 2000 will last for more than a decade. The benefits will be Australia-wide; 15 to 20 per cent will be generated in the Games year, with the impact across a number of sectors, including construction, tourism and service industries. Over 100,000 additional jobs would be created in the lead-up to the Olympics. The gross economic gain is estimated to be in excess of $13 billion. Those are the estimates that were put forward. The Follett Labor Government has played its part in showing support for the Sydney bid for the Olympics. When Bruce Baird travelled in this region, we were quick to indicate to him that we were committed to supporting the holding of the Games in Sydney, and of course there would be some benefits to the ACT.
We acted immediately to secure one of four major international soccer matches to be played in Australia in December this year. Soccer, because it affects so much of the world, has a major influence on those who are considering where the Olympic Games will next be held. We are promoting one of the SBS Youth Challenge 92 soccer matches at the Bruce Stadium on 9 December. The Brazilian team, the current South American champions, will play the Coca-Cola Youth Socceroos in what promises to be a match which can put Canberra on the international soccer map. The game is recognised by FIFA as a full A international soccer fixture and is one of the most important games to come to Australia since 1981, when Canberra was the host city for the quarterfinal between West Germany and Australia. This match will be a dress-up rehearsal for the FIFA Coca-Cola Cup world youth championships in March next year.
Last week I attended the draw in Sydney, and Canberra has been allocated two high calibre matches - Colombia versus an African team and Russia versus an African team. They will draw international focus to the ACT. Not only will the international soccer world be watching us, but so too will the Sydney Olympic bid organisers. We will be assessed on our professionalism in conducting major events, our standard of facilities and our level of community sport.
Madam Speaker, if Sydney is successful in its bid, we are in a strong position in the ACT to host a preliminary group round of Olympic soccer competition. We are holding discussions with the bid people to give them our full support. I consider that these matches will be a dress-up rehearsal for what is to come. The flow-on benefits, which I think everybody recognises, will be many. One will be increased tourism through marketing Canberra as an add-on, if you like, to a visit to Sydney. It will gain recognition as a major sporting centre because there will be, I am sure, some attractions in the ACT for lead-up competitions to the Olympic Games.
People coming to and from Australia might well be encouraged to come to Canberra for a couple of days or more, and people travelling to and from Sydney will be encouraged to stop off for a couple of days or more and contribute to the tourism industry in the ACT. As Sydney's closest neighbour, we in the ACT
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .