Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-08-01 Daily Xml

Contents

Tour Down Under

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:31): Supplementary arising from the answer: can the minister outline what the reason was for the one-month delay in announcing the routes?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:32): I don't believe it's a one-month delay.

The Hon. K.J. Maher: How long? How long did you wait for?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: He obviously doesn't want to hear the answer.

The PRESIDENT: Leader of the Opposition, you have asked your question. Allow the minister to answer.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Thank you, Mr President—

The PRESIDENT: If you would like a supplementary, ask a supplementary.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: —for your protection. The dates have nearly always been released after the Tour de France. My understanding is that the Tour de France, because of the World Cup soccer, was a week late this year. So one stage was announced during the Tour de France. It was promoted on SBS. It was always the intention to do it at the completion of the Tour de France, which finished on Sunday, so it's the timing of other things internationally. I can assure the honourable member that world-class cyclists, world-class teams and a record number of visitors will visit this world-class event to witness and participate in the 2019 Santos Tour Down Under.