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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 9 Hansard (2 September) . . Page.. 2736 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

The next heading concerns directions and requirements for the tournament. FIFA - the international football body - and SOCOG will provide direction and set requirements for the tournament. These requirements can be changed in the three years leading up to the event. The MOU sets out the responsibilities for both the host city and SOCOG in the provision of requirements and the costs to be borne for the event. FIFA and SOCOG are expected to inspect the venue and logistics planning for the tournament in the lead-up and immediately prior to the beginning of the tournament, to ensure international standards are maintained. I come to indemnities, insurances and liabilities. The MOU lists the requirements in regard to indemnities, insurance and liabilities to protect the reputation and integrity of the Olympic Games and event organisers. The indemnities outlined in the MOU provide a level of assurance to SOCOG that the Bruce Stadium development will be completed in time to conduct, if required, which it will be, test events and finalise planning requirements or planning towards the tournament. It was a very long question. Mr Whitecross asked what was in the MOU. As with any significant event, insurances covering public liability are an essential element to protect the parties.

I turn to marketing restrictions for host venues. Canberra, in conjunction with SOCOG and other host venues, will produce a marketing plan to promote involvement in the Olympic soccer program. The marketing plan is expected to be finalised in early 1998 and will include ticket sales marketing, promotional activities and additional associated events which might be staged in Canberra during the event. SOCOG will maintain a significant involvement in the domestic and international marketing programs for all host venues and cities. SOCOG will be responsible for ticket policy and distribution of all games events, including those at interstate venues.

Next I deal with stadium requirements for the tournament. The stadium details to meet the tournament requirements as set out by FIFA are outlined in the MOU. These requirements provide the standards and necessary inclusions for the Bruce Stadium development which begins this month. A requirement of the MOU is that all Bruce Stadium redevelopment contracts be reviewed by SOCOG to ensure that there is no potential conflict between the parties. I turn to responsibilities for staging the tournament. The tournament will be organised and staged by a local Olympic football task force - to be established in the coming few months - in conjunction with SOCOG and FIFA. That is the basic outline of the MOU that was signed last week. It was also signed by Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide - the other Olympic venues. I am sorry to have taken so long, but the question did ask what was in it.

MR SPEAKER: It was a comprehensive question and a comprehensive answer.

MR WHITECROSS: It was a good answer to one part of my question. The other part of my question was: Will the Chief Minister table a copy of the MOU in the Assembly? I hope that in answering my supplementary question she will address that issue. My supplementary question is: Chief Minister, in your remarks you talked about the potential of this series of events to bring jobs and other benefits to Canberra and in the article in the Canberra Times you claimed that the deal between your Government and SOCOG would result in $20m being injected into the ACT economy. Can you explain the basis of your estimate of $20m, and will you provide information on the documents and models used to arrive at the figure of $20m?

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