Page 1166 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 22 August 1989
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The options currently being examined will include an extension of the after-school care and vacation programs; greater utilisation of youth centres; the targeting of selected schools, both government and non-government; the upgrading of coaching development courses and extensions of such courses; the targeting of selected sports and the provision of assistance to their coaches; and the establishment of sport development and coaching centres in key geographical areas.
The ACT will also benefit from the additional moneys allocated to the elite sport area, a large proportion of which will be spent on facilities, coaching and enhanced administration at the Australian Sports Commission. This will result in improved facilities and enhanced support systems for the ACT's top sports people. These measures will enhance the activity and progress already initiated by our Government in the short period in which we have been in office.
As the Assembly is aware, the Government has already made a substantial commitment to the advancement of sport and leisure in the ACT, not only because of its economic benefits but because of its importance to the general well-being of the community. The ACT is recognised as the political capital of Australia and can also rightly claim to be the sporting capital of the nation, with a participation of 120,000 registered sports persons. This does not include the many social joggers, the tennis players, and indeed the golden oldies rugby players.
Prior to self-government, the ALP gave a number of undertakings to the sporting and recreation community of the ACT. During the first 100 days in office the Government has continued this strong commitment, being responsible for a number of major achievements directed toward enhancing sport in the ACT. These have included the establishment in my department of a separate Office of Sport, Recreation and Racing. This office has a direct reporting responsibility to me as Minister. In recognition of its role, it has been given an enhanced budget.
We have also had the establishment of a broad based Sports Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of Dr Alan Roberts. We have acquired the Bruce Stadium and have initiated its ultimate conversion into a multipurpose sporting venue of international standard. Establishing an equivalent facility would have cost ACT taxpayers in excess of $40m. We have had the establishment of the Bruce Stadium trust, which will have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the stadium.
I have already secured an agreement with the Canberra and district rugby league for the Canberra Raiders to use Bruce as their home ground from the beginning of the 1990 season. We have had discussions with other football codes and potential users for the use of Bruce as their sporting
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