Wednesday, 15 November 2023

Ministers statements: women’s sport

Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:35): It was a pleasure to host the Australian Diamonds in Parliament last sitting week to celebrate their World Cup victory and our partnership, which is carrying our brand across the globe. The Visit Melbourne logo has been with the Diamonds for one of their most successful years, with a three-game sweep of South Africa, a nailbiting victory at the Constellation Cup and of course their World Cup title in South Africa this August. The tournament was broadcast around the world, including to some of the most valuable tourism markets for Victoria. Our partnership has also seen the Diamonds contribute their star power to our tourism campaigns. It has brought the Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final to Melbourne, selling out John Cain Arena, and 48 per cent of the people who attended that match came from outside Victoria, resulting in an estimated economic activity gain for Victoria of $7 million, further strengthening our $36 billion tourism economy.

Beyond the dollar value of our partnership, it reflects our values and our shared commitment to women’s sport. Netball is the number one team sport for women and girls in Australia. It has a massive role to play in the health and wellbeing of Victorians. I am very pleased that just last week the Diamonds helped deliver a netball clinic in Shepparton at Shepparton High School for 130 students, and the second clinic is to come at the end of this month at the State Netball Hockey Centre in Parkville. That centre in fact had a $64 million investment from our government –

A member: Yes? Which government?

Steve DIMOPOULOS: the Andrews now Allan Labor government – and it has thousands of women and girls going through its doors every year. Eighty per cent – all users in fact are women. This is the foundation of a good major events economy, when investment aligns with values, excellence and community. We carefully curate our content, we invest in world-class facilities and we support an elite workforce from athletes to event planners to social media people to hospitality and hotel staff. Through these commitments and these shared values we are not just proud to partner with these major events, they are proud to partner with us and to deliver some of the biggest events not only in the country but in the world.