Page 2624 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 10 August 2016

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community together for this announcement two weeks ago. It is fair to say that there was shared excitement about the government reshaping and relaunching this important Canberra sporting tradition.

We launched the event down at the Hockey Centre in Lyneham. There were a number of sporting groups and athletes represented there. I certainly felt that with the Canberra sport awards—when we talked about that with those representatives that were there from our community sports and our more elite level sports—there was an emphasis on building upon those previous sports star and hall of fame awards delivered over many years by ACTSport.

Since I was appointed sports minister I have made clear my intention of carrying on this tradition and of acknowledging the legacy of ACTSport’s work. That is what has happened today and a couple of weeks ago. I also want to acknowledge the former ACTSport executives who attended the launch and who have written to me since pleased with what the government has done.

Previously held as two separate events, the new CBR sport awards will bring the former sports star and hall of fame awards together on one big night to celebrate Canberra’s sporting heroes. For the new CBR sport awards there is a reduced number of categories, a simplified online nomination process and scope for the community to directly nominate a people’s champion.

We will debate a motion this afternoon, called on by Mr Doszpot, where I will be able to talk more about the government’s support for sport and recreation here in the ACT. This new awards process is a further demonstration of our commitment to every sport and every participant, supporter, administrator, official and spectator. All are vital to the success of sport in the ACT and all deserve recognition under the new CBR sport awards.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hinder.

MR HINDER: Minister, how has the local sporting community had input into the design and eventual relaunch of the awards?

MS BERRY: This has been an important part of this process. The ACT government has sought to work with the local sporting community around the continuation of these awards, under both the previous minister and me. As part of that process, local sports have been closely involved in redesigning and developing the new awards. I have had numerous conversations around the best format for the new awards to take.

The government also undertook a systematic consultation and review process, an industry survey, a direct stakeholder consultation through interviews of local sporting representatives and a detailed review of almost 20 other sporting awards which exist around Australia. This review looked at all categories, criteria, assessment, timing and event delivery. As well as talking with sporting bodies and athletes we also consulted the media and local communities who sponsor local sport.


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