Page 266 - Week 01 - Thursday, 15 December 2016

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MR BARR: That is an interesting question. No greater influence than any other organisation in the territory.

MR HANSON: Chief Minister, does your government respond to union requests to influence government contracts?

MR BARR: I do not think the government receives many union requests to influence government contracts, and the government adheres to the law.

MR DOSZPOT: Chief Minister, has UnionsACT ever sought to influence government contracts?

MR BARR: Not that I am aware of.

Sport—Cricket Australia

MR MILLIGAN: My question is to the Chief Minister in the absence of the Minister for Sport and Recreation. Chief Minister, what is the nature of the deal between the ACT government and Cricket Australia regarding international cricket matches being played in Canberra? Further to this, has the ACT government paid any money or agreed to pay any money for the hosting of matches?

MR BARR: Yes, the ACT government has a contract with Cricket Australia that goes to seeing a number of international games played at Manuka Oval over the contracted period. This includes both men’s and women’s cricket involving the respective Australian teams against a variety of international opponents.

Cricket Australia have advised that due to challenges with the international schedule for the forthcoming season they will be unable to meet their contracted obligations and are seeking to vary that contract. I will have those discussions with Cricket Australia in the coming weeks.

As the minister responsible for major events in the territory and minister responsible for Manuka Oval, I take carriage of negotiations with major sports in relation to major international events in the territory and I will seek to resolve these matters to the mutual satisfaction of the territory and Cricket Australia so that we do have a continuation of international cricket in Canberra.

I was very pleased, of course, that we were able to secure Canberra’s first test match against Sri Lanka in the 2018-19 season as part of this arrangement with Cricket Australia.

MR MILLIGAN: Have the contractual terms been breached or did the contract not actually specify that games must be played in Canberra?

MR BARR: The contract allows for variation by mutual agreement with the two parties, but we understand the challenges of the international cricket schedule, particularly in the context of next season and the tour of India as well as an Ashes tour.


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