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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 5 Hansard (9 May) . . Page.. 1434 ..

MS MacDONALD (continuing):

seems that the Wallabies will not be amongst the teams that will play here in Canberra. I am sure all here share my disappointment and also my disbelief at that prospect.

When the draft draw is announced on 20 May, I have been told that it is probable Canberra will end up hosting one, maybe two, seeded teams. The remainder will be a swag of teams that would be hard pressed to match it against the Tuggeranong Vikings or the Royals. In fact, I am prepared to wager-and I don't usually wager-that the Tuggeranong Vikings would give half the teams in the world cup a good rugby lesson.

When I learnt of this situation, I embarked upon a campaign to get the Wallabies to Canberra for the 2003 world cup. I have tagged it the 'Wanna see a Wallaby' campaign. Those that can remember the 'Wanna be a Wallaby' campaign to promote junior recruitment about a decade ago will appreciate the title. For those of you that cannot, let me just say that it is hitting a chord with the rugby public. If the draw is announced and Canberra does not host the Wallabies, then I think a great injustice will have been done to Canberra's rugby fans and, indeed, the entire Canberra community.

I have raised my concerns with the Chief Minister, Mr Stanhope, and the sports minister, Mr Quinlan. They have both been supportive of my pleas and have taken swift action to lobby the ARU for a better deal for the ACT. I thank them both for their positive and quick action on this matter. I have also spoken to ACT Rugby Union chief, Mark Sinderberry, about this matter. He has been supportive, and I look forward to further conversations with him about how we can progress Canberra's cause in this matter.

I have written to John O'Neill and await a response. He has received a long and detailed list of why Canberra should be appointed a Wallaby host next year. I am hopeful that those many reasons, combined with public pressure from the 'Wanna see a Wallaby' campaign, will help to convince him.

You would all know that I have started a petition and I am appreciative that so many people from all sides of this Assembly have added their names to it. Mr Stefaniak was one of the first, and I am sure he will be encouraging his party colleagues to also lend their support. May 20 is looming and so the urgency to gather names and build momentum via public support is increasing. I intend to table that petition in the Assembly soon and it will act as a tangible measure of public support if the ARU needs to consider the level of ACT support for a Wallaby game.

A fortnight ago at Canberra Stadium I was literally swamped with people trying to add their names to my petition. For an hour before kick off at the Brumbies game I had people six and seven deep waiting to get to the petition. The dozen volunteers that assisted me that night were also overwhelmed. I could have collected many more names, but quite simply we could not keep up with demand. Hundreds of people have now participated in my email petition. There is an obvious demand from the Canberra public for a Wallabies world cup game.

The ACT Brumbies are Super 12 champions, as we all know. The Wallabies' captain, George Gregan, is a Canberra boy. So too are many of the longstanding Wallabies. Names like Stephen Larkham and Joe Roff have been the basis of Wallaby success for the last few years. I look forward to Joe Roff getting back into the Brumbies' and Wallabies' colours next year. Add to that names like Andrew Walker, George Smith,

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