Grassroots Football, Cricket, and Netball Facility Program

Mr ELLIS (Narungga) (14:51): My question is to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. Can the minister update the house on the benefits of the government's Grassroots Football, Cricket, and Netball Facility Program?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:51): Absolutely. I thank the member for his question.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Badcoe can leave for the remainder of question time under 137A.

The honourable member for Badcoe having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I thank the member for Narungga for his question and note what a great advocate he is for his community and sport in his community and how important it is to have sport back for the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community. It's great to see people getting out there and being active again, especially at our sporting clubs.

Mr Picton interjecting:

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

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: The Marshall government's strong plan to support local jobs, businesses and organisations and the economy has seen the sporting sector receive $15 million in the past few months, going through the COVID-19 crisis we have been facing. We have been smashing it out of the park. Quality infrastructure is one of the keys to a stronger community and that is why our grassroots football, cricket and netball program has been kicking goals.

This is exactly the type of program that South Australia needs right now. It creates jobs, it lowers costs for local communities and it improves services and facilities that so many love so dearly. This program addresses the sporting infrastructure issues the opposition ignored during their time in government. This program puts money into quality projects such as quality floodlighting, better playing surfaces, new unisex change rooms to improve safety and usability, and better practice facilities.

Ms Hildyard interjecting:

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

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Let's just start with the numbers. They don't want to hear it on that side but the numbers are really clear. What we have done over three rounds is—and we brought the third round forward, so we have had three rounds in two years—$15 million, 15 worthy recipients, and another 15 clubs have finally received attention that they didn't get after years of nothing from the opposition. That means over three rounds, $15 million, 47 quality sporting infrastructure projects over the three years and 15 more recently.

Let's take a moment to celebrate those successes and let's go through the numbers. In 2018-19, $5 million led to—wait for it—$15.1 million in total project value. That's $5 million of taxpayer money into $15 million worth of projects. In 2019-20, we invested $5 million of taxpayer dollars which led to $27.6 million worth of project value, and the money we brought forward, the $5 million, led to $16.6 million in project value. That's over $15 million investment in this program, $59 million in total projects. Let me say that again: $15 million invested across two years; $59 million in total projects. That's due to the fact that we have worked hard to collaborate with sports, local councils, clubs and associations to build sensible funding packages to stretch our dollar further.

Instead of sitting in offices navel gazing like those opposite, we have been out selling the program with local clubs and encouraging them to apply. They know that we have moved on from the bad old days and there is a new government in town, a government that wants better sporting facilities. It is a government that wants better sporting facilities. I would like to personally thank Netball SA—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —SANFL, SACA and the Office for Recreation and Sport for their outstanding collaboration and work with these sports, which we believe and know have positioned the sports so well and empowered them to assess the applications as they came in.

Not only did they give their intellectual knowledge and work with these clubs and these councils, but they actually put skin in the game as well. For you to speak disparagingly of the SANFL, the SACA and Netball SA is appalling. They put money on the table.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will be seated. I would never speak disparagingly of the SANFL when I was growing up. The member for West Torrens.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sir, the minister is clearly debating.

The SPEAKER: Yes. I ask the minister to come back to the substance of the question.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I will. Thank you, Mr Speaker, and the substance of the question—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —was about the value that is being returned, and the fact that the SANFL, the SACA and Netball SA have put skin in the game. They put in $1 million each—$1 million from the SANFL and $1 million from the SACA to add to this project. This week, quite frankly, the cheap shots and the political ploy that has come from those on the other side has been insulting. It is a smokescreen to take people's attention away from the truth of the matter.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir: the minister is now debating the question and attacking the opposition.

The SPEAKER: Minister, please wrap up your answer.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Mr Speaker, we know that they have been too lazy on the other side to get involved in this project, but we have delivered. We have delivered $59 million worth of projects—more jobs, lower costs, better services.

The SPEAKER: The minister has concluded his answer. I would like to move to some other questions. The member for West Torrens is seeking the call.