Sports Funding

Mr PATTERSON (Morphett) (15:04): My question is also to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing just to help him out with maybe a different type of questioning. Can the minister inform the house of the government's—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Morphett, I will hear the question, please.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my right will behave.

Mr PATTERSON: Can the minister inform the house of the government's investments in sports other than football, netball and cricket?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:04): I thank the member for his question and note it is very different. It is a good one. I know and acknowledge his passion for sport as well—his playing prowess, his history but also his involvement in community sport, as we speak. He is a great local member and a great man in his community.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to answer this question today and think that the message may have been lost on some of those members opposite. The Marshall government is committed to recreation, sport and racing. Our election commitments speak for that. We committed more than $7 million to invest in recreation and sport infrastructure in South Australia, and a lot of that was outlined in the budget, but I think, again, it has been lost on those opposite.

Flagstaff Hill Community Centre is one of those venues that was overlooked by the previous government that we have supported to the tune of half a million dollars. Hewett Reserve, again, was overlooked by those opposite for 16 years, but we have helped out there again with an investment of half a million dollars. The Cove sports and community centre—again more investment from this government when it has been overlooked by those opposite.

The Edwardstown memorial oval, too, we have supported with some solar panels as well. The Plympton Sports and Recreation Club in the member for Morphett's electorate—a big advocate for the mighty Bulldogs—again, the investment there was $100,000 to improve drainage to allow more young people, and older people for that matter, to get on the park. Footy, soccer, cricket—they can get on the park. More female teams, as the member for Morphett points out, too, with the growing numbers there. That is the sort of investment that the Marshall Liberal government is passionate about.

At the Willunga Recreation Park as well, in the member for Mawson's electorate, there is more investment there. The Campbelltown soccer club, Mr Speaker, in your electorate—again more investment there—

The SPEAKER: National champions.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —to grow more female participation as well. The Henley Football Club in the member for Colton's electorate—again, another half a million dollar investment to grow participation there. The Western Strikers Soccer Club—the member for Lee should be over the moon—we are investing in that club as well to expand clubrooms and to grow participation in sport as well. The Hectorville Hounds, Mr Speaker—gee, you've done exceptionally well here, Mr Speaker—

The SPEAKER: Excellent club.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —they were in parliament during the week, I think—

The SPEAKER: It's about time.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —having a chat to you as well. The Lakes Sports and Community Club and the Blackwood Bowling Club—that's not all; that is just a slice of the pie—are all clubs under the previous government that were ignored that we are investing in because we know it's important to grow participation in community sports here in the state. That is why we are rolling out the policies we are.

The other investments include, of course, $19 million into a new state sports infrastructure park at Gepps Cross for soccer. That is what the FFSA were very keen on, and we are very happy to be delivering the funds for that project as well. Cycling is another one. We have committed $7.1 million towards the construction of the wind tunnel at the Super-Drome.

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell interjecting:

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Yes, we have. If you check the budget—

The SPEAKER: The member for Mawson is on two warnings.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —it was in the most recent budget delivered by this government. Those on the other side talked about it; we delivered it. There is $1.3 million for the Sam Willoughby international BMX track as well, and also the members for Elder, Davenport and Waite have worked incredibly hard to pull together $8 million.

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Mawson, you can withdraw that statement about misleading the house lease.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: I withdraw.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, sir.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I will continue because I was talking about the Women's Memorial Playing Fields, which are going to benefit lacrosse, hockey and also women's soccer—another great investment. Again, Labor talked about it; we delivered it. That is the difference—16 years, not one cent in this project; we come into government, $8 million all in the budget. This government is delivering for communities.

Time expired.

The SPEAKER: I am trying to give the member for Reynell the call.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Badcoe can leave for half an hour under 137A.

The honourable member for Badcoe having withdrawn from the chamber.