House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-10-16 Daily Xml

Contents

TOUR DOWN UNDER

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart) (15:18): My question is to the Minister for Recreation and Sport. Given that the Victorian government released the amount of taxpayer funds paid to Tiger Woods for his appearance, will the government now reveal to the people of South Australia how much taxpayers' money was paid to Lance Armstrong for his appearance—flights, entertainment, food, beverage and accommodation—during his stay in Adelaide?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for State Development) (15:18): Those arrangements in relation to Mr Lance Armstrong were the subject of a confidentiality clause in the contract which prevents the government from disclosing the financial details of the contract. I have been advised that to breach that clause would expose the government to action. However, I think the stronger point beyond that is that there is a highly competitive environment for the Tour Down Under. We know that there are a number of jurisdictions which would love to take it off us. They would love to know what our financial arrangements are in relation to attracting celebrities to support the race, and we are not going to give them a leg up by disclosing that information.

The SPEAKER: The member for Torrens.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!