Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 10 Hansard (24 September) . . Page.. 3227 ..

MR WHITECROSS (continuing):

One question was: Can you confirm that, if the Raiders get the same crowd figures in 1999 that they achieved in 1997, the Raiders will be about $2.3m better off than under the current arrangements? My other question was: Can you also confirm that the deal you have struck with the Raiders will see the Raiders get paid $2.2m even if they get a total crowd for the season of only 22,000, that is, an average of 2,000 per match? Finally, Chief Minister, you have stated that you have also signed a deal with the Cosmos. If the Cosmos, with their new coach Branko Culina and their new signings, can achieve an average crowd of 2,000 per game, will you be giving them the same $2.2m or $100 a head deal?

MR SPEAKER: There are three questions there, and one expression of opinion, which you will ignore.

MRS CARNELL: One of them is hypothetical. I will ignore that one. Mr Speaker, I did answer the question first off. The answer was no. Unfortunately, the illustration that Mr Whitecross is using is simply untrue, as I said the first time. The illustration that he was using, the $2.2m, results from the interrelationship of assumptions regarding various levels of Raiders sales compared with the assumed sales levels for other hirers in the business plan that was put together. In other words, there is no $2.2m guaranteed to the Raiders. End of deal. It is that simple.

Mr Whitecross: That is not the question I asked.

MRS CARNELL: I am sorry; you did. You said, "Will they get $2.2m more?". The answer is no, not necessarily, but there are a number of other revenue sources, Mr Speaker, that the Raiders will be able to access under the new deal - such things as better corporate facilities, as I said earlier, and better advertising operations. There are a number of other ways that the Raiders and other hirers can get revenue. Mr Speaker, obviously, I did not sign these contracts.

Mr Berry: Oh, no - "It is not my fault".

Mr Whitecross: No, it is someone else's fault.

MRS CARNELL: No, no. Mr Speaker, Mr Whitecross did indicate that I had signed the contracts. Obviously, I do not sign these sorts of contracts. I think it is very important that Mr - - -

Mr Corbell: But you approve them.

MRS CARNELL: Yes, I do agree with it. I think the capacity for the ACT to have Olympic soccer is something that those opposite obviously do not appreciate, Mr Speaker. One of the things that have come out of the line of questioning over the last two days indicates that Mr - - -

Mr Whitecross: Did the Cosmos get the same deal?

MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Whitecross!

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .