Page 736 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 29 March 2006
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them well. Although they have the same fascination with computers and games as many other children—Dr Foskey alluded to that yesterday—they have still managed to maintain good health profiles through intense sports programs. We encourage them to participate irrespective of the outcome. I know many other parents do the same.
The World Health Organisation has recognised that physical activity is a fundamental means of improving both the physical and mental health of individuals. We have researched numerous reports that deal with the issue of childhood obesity, the role of physical activity and the importance of sports programs. My comments today in the time I have available are confined to just a few of the highlights. The New South Wales health department identifies the fact that physical inactivity is now recognised as second only to tobacco use as a key risk factor for ill health. I do not think there would be too many who would dispute that belief.
Interesting material we have sourced from the National Heart Foundation—and I thank them for that—also states that increasing levels of physical activity and reducing time spent in sedentary activity are important strategies for facilitating weight loss and preventing people from becoming overweight and obese. This is in their publication addressing Australia’s weight problem. Looking further afield to the United States, the US Surgeon-General’s report, published in 1996, dealt with physical activity and health. The Surgeon-General made the point that substantial health gains were possible if the community adopted more regular physical activity. Given the strain that overweight and obesity places on an already stretched health system in the ACT, it stands to reason that encouraging physical activity and healthy living is a way to help avoid problems such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and arthritis.
Yesterday the Chief Minister said he had not even thought about this issue until a week ago and he is now going to pore over every cent in sport. I would say, with great respect to the Chief Minister, that this is probably an area which warrants less scrutiny than some other areas of government where there is more discretionary spending. I do not begrudge the support the territory gives to sporting organisations. The fact that sport plays a vital role and is important for our kids and important for the community at large is one area where there is probably widespread cross-party support. I do not think this will be well received by those who give up their time, many of whom are volunteers.
I spoke of a competition a few weeks ago in the Woden area. I mentioned one woman there who had given 35 years of her life volunteering to help kids who are involved in softball activities. I think it sends the wrong message if we say, “You are under the microscope; we are concerned that yours may be one of the areas of government waste.” Governments have to be responsible. I am one who advocates that nobody can be exempt from the process but I would counsel that, if we start putting the red pen through many of the activities in the sports area, then I think Mr Corbell or his successor will be saddled with escalating costs in the health area down the track.
The ACT has a good track record of participation in sports. I was looking at some of the figures, going back to 2001, that came out of the exercise, recreation and sports survey—a joint initiative of the Australian Sports Commission and the state and territory departments of sport and recreation. When you look at overall participation in the period 2001 to 2003 you see that the ACT reached a figure of 88.7 per cent participation,
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