❓ Ms. Saffioti questions the Minister for Sport and Recreation regarding the decision to have Allia Venue Management operate NIB Stadium, contrasting past advice and current rationale for transitioning to VenuesWest. The Minister defends the decision, citing Allia's past performance and VenuesWest's expertise in sports stadium management.
AnsweredQoN 219Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
NIB STADIUM — ALLIA VENUE MANAGEMENT
219. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the
Minister for Sport and Recreation:
I refer to the minister's comments yesterday on radio
that it would be in the best long-term interests of the state for the state to
be running the stadium and not Allia Venue Management.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that in 2011 he was advised by the CEO of VenuesWest that as a
result of Allia continuing the operations of the stadium the state would not
get as much net benefit directly from the redevelopment compared with the state
running the stadium?
(2) Can the
minister confirm that during those negotiations he advised staff to just get on
with it and not unduly delay things with any complications or negotiation about
improving the state's position?
(3) Why did
the minister choose Allia to keep operating the stadium back in 2012 but now
believes it is in the best interests of the state that Allia not be involved?
219. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the
Minister for Sport and Recreation:
I refer to the minister's comments yesterday on radio
that it would be in the best long-term interests of the state for the state to
be running the stadium and not Allia Venue Management.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that in 2011 he was advised by the CEO of VenuesWest that as a
result of Allia continuing the operations of the stadium the state would not
get as much net benefit directly from the redevelopment compared with the state
running the stadium?
(2) Can the
minister confirm that during those negotiations he advised staff to just get on
with it and not unduly delay things with any complications or negotiation about
improving the state's position?
(3) Why did
the minister choose Allia to keep operating the stadium back in 2012 but now
believes it is in the best interests of the state that Allia not be involved?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3)
I will answer the last part of the question first. We kept Allia there when the
contract changed and when the lease was transferred from the City of Vincent to
the state. Allia was a proven operator and was doing a good job, which I have
just referred to. Since that time there is no doubt that we have expanded the
stadium. It is probably now more a sport stadium, and VenuesWest has expertise
in running sport stadiums. If Allia had wanted to continue, it would have
continued. We had the right to terminate, as I said before, had we not been
happy. However, we went with VenuesWest with its proven record. Remember that I
referred this morning in a grievance in this place to the 12 or 13 venues that
VenuesWest oversees or runs. It has a special relationship with sport and there
is probably more of a focus on sport at the moment. In fact, I think VenuesWest
will do a good job and I stand by that. However, this is a transitional
arrangement with VenuesWest. If we think that there is a better way and we want
VenuesWest to investigate that, we can seek other people to run the stadium;
however, VenuesWest will take it over now. Remember that there is still six
months to go with Allia.
I will answer the last part of the question first. We kept Allia there when the
contract changed and when the lease was transferred from the City of Vincent to
the state. Allia was a proven operator and was doing a good job, which I have
just referred to. Since that time there is no doubt that we have expanded the
stadium. It is probably now more a sport stadium, and VenuesWest has expertise
in running sport stadiums. If Allia had wanted to continue, it would have
continued. We had the right to terminate, as I said before, had we not been
happy. However, we went with VenuesWest with its proven record. Remember that I
referred this morning in a grievance in this place to the 12 or 13 venues that
VenuesWest oversees or runs. It has a special relationship with sport and there
is probably more of a focus on sport at the moment. In fact, I think VenuesWest
will do a good job and I stand by that. However, this is a transitional
arrangement with VenuesWest. If we think that there is a better way and we want
VenuesWest to investigate that, we can seek other people to run the stadium;
however, VenuesWest will take it over now. Remember that there is still six
months to go with Allia.
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