Coronavirus

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (15:19): As people in communities across South Australia grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, we are witnessing with heartbreak people deeply struggling. However, we are also witnessing the best of humanity, with people finding new ways to reach out to one another in kindness, checking that they are okay, finding out if they need anything and authentically connecting and lending a hand.

As we all physically distance from one another, there are remarkable examples every day and everywhere of people and organisations finding ways to safely connect and reassure people that, whilst we are not physically connected, we are not alone. I find many of those people in our sporting communities in suburbs and regions right across our state. They are selfless volunteers who, despite their competitions, training and other gatherings being cancelled, are getting in touch with their fellow members and supporters. Their efforts continue to be at the heart of our community, showing care and making a difference in people's lives.

I thank every one of our local clubs, leagues and associations and every leader and all volunteers for doing this. But like many other organisations, our local clubs themselves are struggling as we confront this pandemic. They are struggling to pay rates, lease costs, water bills and utility costs and are worrying about how they will continue to operate in the months and years ahead as income from fees, events, bars and canteens disappears and as any tiny reserves they did have diminish. They are worried about how they will survive. They need our help.

On 20 March, the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing initially communicated with clubs, leagues and codes to let them know that, whilst he heard they are struggling, they should reflect that they are not the only ones. Along with that rather interesting assessment, the minister told clubs that funding for the Sport and Recreation Development and Inclusion Program is on hold and that clubs will need to find innovative solutions to offer value to members in alternative ways. With so many clubs struggling financially, yet continuing to reach out to members, it is an interesting time for the state government to withhold vital grant funding that is focused on including people.

These clubs absolutely still need our help. I have written to the minister in support of local clubs, leagues and associations about this funding and to consider a range of measures to support our local sporting community. I am eagerly awaiting a response. Since that communication, the government announced a $250 million Community and Jobs Support Fund. Together with clubs, leagues and associations, we have sought more detailed information about how to apply. Unfortunately, the information is limited. These clubs still need our help and we need them to be able to access this much-needed funding.

In the last sitting week, the member for Frome also advocated for help for these clubs. He rightly proposed an amendment to the emergency response bill. The member suggested relief through the waiving of various water fees and other charges—a great suggestion. Whilst the amendment thankfully passed, unfortunately the amendment was not supported by the government in the other place.

As we continue to grapple with this ongoing COVID-19 crisis and when we come out of it, local clubs in every community across our state must, as they always have been, be enabled and empowered to be there for people. They are the places that are and will be so deeply important to the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of South Australians in every suburb and in every region of our state.

More than ever, people will need somewhere to turn, and for many South Australians their local club has been that place for a very long time—for some the only place. Their clubs are where they see their mates, where they celebrate, where they talk, where they look after each other and where people are brought together and supported. Sport is an incredibly powerful tool in including people, looking after them, giving them a sense of belonging and a sense of community family. Sport enables volunteering and for people to be part of teams, just show up and chat, and to be involved.

I urge those opposite to take up the suggestions that I have made, that the member for Frome has made and that clubs, leagues and associations are making to ensure that community sport continues to be there for people and making a difference in their lives. I urge them to reconsider some of their cuts to sport over the past two years and I urge them to keep sporting clubs properly informed about how they can access that much-needed funding.