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Sport and Recreation Minister Karl Hampton today told the Parliamentary Estimates Committee the Henderson Government is kicking goals when it comes to supporting first class sporting events and facilities in the Territory.

 

Mr Hampton said Budget 2009 invested $31.4 million in Sport and Recreation, supporting sport from grass-roots participation through to elite level competition across the Territory.

 

“This includes $10.45 million to deliver sport and recreation programs through peak sporting groups, local government bodies and grass roots organisations.

 

“This Government is serious about promoting involvement in sport and active recreation, demonstrated by the development of the Territory’s first Sport and Active Recreation Policy.

 

 “More sport and recreation grants programs are providing better sporting facilities and also offer the opportunity for the NT to attract national and international sporting events.

 

“We are continuing our $1 million five-year commitment to support the NT Thunder’s successful entry into the Queensland AFL and are committed to developing an international sporting complex at Palmerston and continuing to upgrade key infrastructure at the home of motorsport, Hidden Valley.”

 

Mr Hampton also outlined in Estimates the commitment of the Henderson Government to developing the Territory’s regions.

 

“As Minister for Regional Development I am proud of the support we are giving to people on the ground to develop and grow local businesses and increase local employment opportunities.

 

“We have headquartered the department in Alice Springs and increased the number of Regional Development staff in regional centres, so decisions made about the regions are made by people in the regions.

 

“We have also made significant progress in the area of ICT, with the Arhnem Fibre Link project seeing hundreds of kilometres of cable laid in partnership with Telstra, ensuring more Territorians have access to high speed broadband.

 

“In remote communities this provides vital access to health and education services and further opportunities to developing our regions.”

 

 

Contact: Natasha Fyles 044 88 66 312