RECREATION AND SPORT FUNDING

Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (14:57): My question is to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. What funding support does the state government provide to peak active recreation and support organisations in South Australia?

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Finance, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:58): The state government provides funding support to peak active recreation and sport organisations in South Australia through the Statewide Enhancement Program. I am pleased to advise the house that I have already recently approved funding for the 2008-09 round of this program.

The Statewide Enhancement Program, or StEP as it is known, is the government's biggest active recreation and sport grants program and is a triennial funding program that provides approximately $20 million over three years. Funding is provided to state active recreation and sport organisations to assist in core business activities and to organisations for projects that enhance active recreation and sport programs and services. Sports such as swimming, athletics and soccer are represented, right through to active recreation and sporting programs for homeless adults and at risk young people.

StEP is important in providing a broad range of active recreation and sport opportunities for all South Australians. StEP assists peak industry bodies and state active recreation and sport associations to implement programs and initiatives which support South Australia's Strategic Plan target to exceed the Australian average for participation in sport and physical activity by 2014. The success of StEP, since its implementation in 2004, has been the result of a partnering approach that the state government has taken to working with the active recreation and sporting industry for the benefit of the South Australian community.