Question Time

TOUR DOWN UNDER

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:02): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Tourism a question about the Tour Down Under.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: During this time of the year, more and more interest is growing for one of the biggest events on the South Australian calendar. My question to the minister is: can she please outline for the chamber some of the recent developments for the 2013 Santos Tour Down Under?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:03): I thank the honourable member for her important question. I know that we are all very excited about the 2013 Santos Tour Down Under because it really is one of the nation's most popular events. I am very delighted to advise that budding cycling stars can seize their moment to shine by taking part in the Bupa Mini Tour for Kids next January.

The event is part of the 2013 Santos Tour Down Under and is presented by UniSA and will be on 27 January along the Adelaide City Council street circuit from King William Road to Elder Park. Children aged between six and 12 can enter the Bupa Mini Tour for Kids and it is obviously a wonderful opportunity for young riders to use the UCI WorldTour track, just like the professionals. Mini tour participants will ride along the start/finish straight of the street circuit only hours before the world's elite cyclists battle it out for the final stage of the Santos Tour Down Under.

Bupa Mini Tour for Kids entrants will be split into age groups, with each allocated 20 minutes to ride as many laps of the special track as they possibly can, so they can really get in there and knock themselves out. The entry is $30 per child and includes exclusive access to stage 6 Adelaide City Council street circuits, a special Bupa Mini Tour for Kids t-shirt to wear while riding, and refreshments and a gift bag. I am advised that children need a bike that is in good condition, an Australian Standards approved helmet and, obviously, permission from their parent or guardian to participate.

I would also like to inform members that package tours to the 2013 Santos Tour Down Under are being sold by an Asian travel specialist for the first time. I am advised the Hong Kong based Elite Sports is among 11 international companies offering package tours for next year's event. Package tours for next year's race are sold around the world, with cycling fans in New Zealand, Italy, France, the UK and the US catered for by local specialists. Elite Sports is owned by Alan Ho, a professional cyclist in Hong Kong, and focuses on promoting active and environmentally sensitive holidays.

I am really thrilled that the specialist packages for the important Asian market are available, and of course Australians keen to purchase a package tour for next year's Tour Down Under are also well supported, with seven specialists busy promoting our festival of cycling. Santos Tour Down Under event specialists offer a range of holiday packages to suit keen amateur cyclists right through to avid specialists.

Those staying for a full week can enjoy the very best of the event, with the entire VIP Club Tour experience, which includes trackside viewing and attendance at Club Tour events, and anyone with just a weekend to spare obviously can select our Club Tour Classic or Weekender options, tailored for their particular time of stay. The 2013 Tour Down Under will be held from 20 to 27 January, and I obviously encourage all members to get involved in the tour.