Thursday, 14 August 2025

Southern Metropolitan Region

Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (12:51): (1753) My question is to the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events. I have been contacted by clubs in Albert Park, including those who use the lake, outraged about Labor’s plan to extend the grand prix lockout. They already oppose the staggering sums of public money that Labor funnels into the grand prix compared to the tiny amount spent on community sport and recreation and Albert Park itself. Given claims of a net positive financial benefit to Victoria, Minister, will you fully compensate the clubs for the costs the grand prix imposes? Impacts include loss of access to clubrooms, sporting facilities, playing fields and the lake itself and consequentially the inability to run scheduled programs, which impacts these clubs. For the rent they pay during lockout times, the admin and volunteer time lost to rescheduling, paying for alternative venues and extra travel time and cost, will you compensate these clubs for what they lose during the grand prix’s disruption?