Page 890 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 2 May 2007
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Adjournment
Debate resumed.
Sport—Canberra Stadium
MR STEFANIAK (Ginninderra—Leader of the Opposition) (6.19): There is a matter that I would like to see Mr Barr take up as the minister responsible for the Canberra Stadium. Recently, there has been some difficulty with the ACT Junior Rugby Union holding their final series at the stadium. In recent years they have held very successful finals series there. I understand that it brings a fair amount of money to the stadium, so it is a very worthwhile event. It is held at a time of year when the stadium is not particularly well used, in late August, early September, on weekends that do not clash with any other users of the stadium. I understand that would be the case again this year.
I am particularly concerned to hear that the ACT Junior Rugby Union may no longer be able to utilise the stadium this year. I think that would be a lose/lose situation for everyone. I ask the minister to take that up with the stadium authorities to see if a bit of common sense can prevail to let those players with a future play their final series there.
The event, I understand, brings in over the course of a weekend about 20,000 people—parents, spectators and the kids themselves. It is a particularly useful addition to the stadium’s calendar. As much as anything else, the stadium really is there to be used not just for Raiders and Brumbies games but for concerts and for other activities. Surely promoting junior sport through the use of the stadium—and it gives the kids a huge thrill to play on such a venue—is a great positive. I was particularly concerned to see that may not occur this year. I ask the minister to take that up.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
The Assembly adjourned at 6.19 pm.
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