Page 4905 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 25 October 2011
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We believe that encouraging children into team sport is important. That is why the Canberra Liberals have announced that we will cut ground hire fees for junior teams by 50 per cent. No more increases of 135 per cent. We will cut junior fees by 50 per cent and ensure they stay down. I understand that the minister for sport has already dismissed this as of being of little importance, but what it does demonstrate is that we do understand the value of children being a part of team sport in Canberra.
We do understand, as many clubs have highlighted to us, that for many families, player fees are a big impost on costs for families, particularly when there are several children all wanting to play sport. So, Mr Barr, cost of living is not a matter of little importance to Canberra families. If you listen to the constituents more, Mr Barr, you would be aware of this.
As I said when I started this debate, I believe there are few things in life that are more important than ensuring the best for our children. Indeed, community sport is providing the best for our children. The Canberra Liberals believe in supporting Canberra families and believe in investing in community activities that enrich the lives of Canberra families.
MR BARR: (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Education and Training and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation) (3.43): I welcome Mr Doszpot raising this matter of public importance regarding community sport. Indeed, it is an area that the Labor government is committed to and has a demonstrated track record of supporting and growing. The government has been supporting community sporting organisations with real action over many years, not just a single headline policy announcement after three years of silence.
Canberrans are the most active people in Australia. We have the highest participation rate in sport and recreation and we enjoy some of the best infrastructure in the country. Sport and active recreation in the Canberra region enables an enriched active national capital. It is supported through a united system that connects and promotes the economic and social value of sport and recreation to the health and wellbeing of the community.
In 2009 the economic contribution study of the sport and recreation sector to the ACT economy provided an insight into just how valuable the industry is. It is not just valuable financially through the economic benefits from things like sports tourism and retail but also in the associated health-related benefits that accompany physical activity.
Overall, the sector’s economic contribution is estimated to be in direct terms around $250 million per annum in the 2008-09 financial year, providing just over 2,850 full-time equivalent workers. This report highlights the benefits of physical activity that have a positive impact on the territory’s bottom line with savings on health-related expenses estimated to be $84½ million per annum.
The study highlighted the importance that volunteers play within the industry, with around 27,000 Canberrans contributing 3.1 million hours of unpaid work annually.
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