❓ Mr. Lilburne asks about the Cook Labor government's KidSport program and its impact on accessibility and affordability of sport for WA families. The Minister responds by highlighting the program's expansion, increased voucher amounts, and positive impact on participation, linking it to the success of WA athletes.
AnsweredQoN 485Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COST OF LIVING — KIDSPORT
485. Mr P. LILBURNE to the Minister for Sport and
Recreation:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
support for WA families in the face of global cost-of-living pressures.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how this government's expansion of
KidSport is making sport more accessible for kids and young people in Western Australia
who would normally not be able to participate?
(2) Can the minister advise the
house how KidSport is removing financial barriers for WA families?
485. Mr P. LILBURNE to the Minister for Sport and
Recreation:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
support for WA families in the face of global cost-of-living pressures.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how this government's expansion of
KidSport is making sport more accessible for kids and young people in Western Australia
who would normally not be able to participate?
(2) Can the minister advise the
house how KidSport is removing financial barriers for WA families?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for Carine for his question. I also reflect on the tremendous
success of our Western Australian athletes
in Paris. So far, Matt Ebden and John Peers have won gold in tennis men's
doubles; Brianna Throssell has won gold in the pool; Iona Anderson has won
silver and bronze in the pool ; Jack Robinson has won silver in surfing; Annabelle
McIntyre has won bronze in rowing; and Josh Yong and Zac Incerti have won bronze in the pool. Of course, I am sure lots
of Western Australians will be focused on Nina Kennedy as she
pole-vaults for a medal tonight, so we send her our best wishes. To all our
athletes we send our very best wishes and we will welcome our Olympians and
Paralympians when they return home. They have done a tremendous job.
This is linked, essentially, to
KidSport, because when we focus on programs that allow more girls and boys to
participate in sport at the earliest possible time, it then has, as we know, a lifelong
impact on their lives going forward. The Cook Labor government has very much
focused on what programs it can support that also have an impact on family
household budgets and finances, given the cost-of-living concerns that many families have at the moment. I am very proud
that this Cook Labor government increased the KidSport voucher amount
from $150 to $300 and then, more recently, to $500. More children will also be
able to access the program because we have finessed the criteria to access
KidSport.
For
example, we have focused on and targeted children who are being cared for by
foster carers to support them. We have also made sure that biological
children of foster carers can access KidSport. We have a category that also
allows special considerations for people who are experiencing hardship; I want
members to be aware of that because it is an important consideration. What has
it also seen? The increase in the dollar amount has already seen an increase in
the number of vouchers being accessed. Very soon, we will reach $50 million of
KidSport funding since its inception more than 10 years ago. We have some great
statistics in, for example, the Cities of Stirling and Joondalup, which cover
the member's electorate. Nearly 3 000 vouchers were supported in the
2023–24 financial year. There has been more than $600 000 in funding
and 362 clubs supported across the board in terms of codes, including support
for boys and girls in netball, basketball
and swimming lessons. We have also tweaked the criteria to ensure that uniforms ,
resources and playing equipment are covered.
All of that has been included and
expanded under the Cook Labor government. Why? It is because we know that this
will have an impact on those families that need to access assistance. We are
seeing it now on fields and courts and in pools and gymnasiums—all
those fields where sport is played. We are seeing an increasing number of kids
engaged and involved. It is a great news story for all Western Australians. It
is also a clear focus, and we recognise that by placing support in programs
such as KidSport, we are supporting families and making sure that all kids—I
am sounding like Rampaging Roy Slaven now!— are engaged and involved in sport. That is what we want to see. I am so
proud of the rollout of this program . It can be seen in every electorate
across the state. I encourage members to continue to liaise with their sporting
clubs and organisations. Let them know that KidSport is not only alive and well
but also growing under the Cook Labor government.
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : What is
wrong with you? You never say anything. I wanted to catch up with the member
here. Here he is; he never supports anything. A great number of kids in the
member for Roe's electorate have accessed KidSport and benefited from
such things as the community sporting and recreation facilities fund, from
which a number of programs and projects in the member's electorate were
funded in the last round. He has not sent me a card to thank me yet! I tell you
what: I get cards, flowers and things from lots of people, but never from the
member for Roe. Nothing! He is a hyena, sneaking around there, hanging around
those bins —
The SPEAKER : Leader of the
House, please resume your seat.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : KidSport
is working well. It is brilliant. I encourage all members to continue to be in
contact with their sporting clubs to make sure they know that the government
has enhanced and increased the program, because we want that money to get out
to the families who need it and we want to make sure that more and more kids in
Western Australia are playing sport, no matter where they live.
The SPEAKER : Hear, hear! Let
that be a reminder that when you are speaking, you need to stand in your place.
The member for North West Central with the last question.
thank the member for Carine for his question. I also reflect on the tremendous
success of our Western Australian athletes
in Paris. So far, Matt Ebden and John Peers have won gold in tennis men's
doubles; Brianna Throssell has won gold in the pool; Iona Anderson has won
silver and bronze in the pool ; Jack Robinson has won silver in surfing; Annabelle
McIntyre has won bronze in rowing; and Josh Yong and Zac Incerti have won bronze in the pool. Of course, I am sure lots
of Western Australians will be focused on Nina Kennedy as she
pole-vaults for a medal tonight, so we send her our best wishes. To all our
athletes we send our very best wishes and we will welcome our Olympians and
Paralympians when they return home. They have done a tremendous job.
This is linked, essentially, to
KidSport, because when we focus on programs that allow more girls and boys to
participate in sport at the earliest possible time, it then has, as we know, a lifelong
impact on their lives going forward. The Cook Labor government has very much
focused on what programs it can support that also have an impact on family
household budgets and finances, given the cost-of-living concerns that many families have at the moment. I am very proud
that this Cook Labor government increased the KidSport voucher amount
from $150 to $300 and then, more recently, to $500. More children will also be
able to access the program because we have finessed the criteria to access
KidSport.
For
example, we have focused on and targeted children who are being cared for by
foster carers to support them. We have also made sure that biological
children of foster carers can access KidSport. We have a category that also
allows special considerations for people who are experiencing hardship; I want
members to be aware of that because it is an important consideration. What has
it also seen? The increase in the dollar amount has already seen an increase in
the number of vouchers being accessed. Very soon, we will reach $50 million of
KidSport funding since its inception more than 10 years ago. We have some great
statistics in, for example, the Cities of Stirling and Joondalup, which cover
the member's electorate. Nearly 3 000 vouchers were supported in the
2023–24 financial year. There has been more than $600 000 in funding
and 362 clubs supported across the board in terms of codes, including support
for boys and girls in netball, basketball
and swimming lessons. We have also tweaked the criteria to ensure that uniforms ,
resources and playing equipment are covered.
All of that has been included and
expanded under the Cook Labor government. Why? It is because we know that this
will have an impact on those families that need to access assistance. We are
seeing it now on fields and courts and in pools and gymnasiums—all
those fields where sport is played. We are seeing an increasing number of kids
engaged and involved. It is a great news story for all Western Australians. It
is also a clear focus, and we recognise that by placing support in programs
such as KidSport, we are supporting families and making sure that all kids—I
am sounding like Rampaging Roy Slaven now!— are engaged and involved in sport. That is what we want to see. I am so
proud of the rollout of this program . It can be seen in every electorate
across the state. I encourage members to continue to liaise with their sporting
clubs and organisations. Let them know that KidSport is not only alive and well
but also growing under the Cook Labor government.
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : What is
wrong with you? You never say anything. I wanted to catch up with the member
here. Here he is; he never supports anything. A great number of kids in the
member for Roe's electorate have accessed KidSport and benefited from
such things as the community sporting and recreation facilities fund, from
which a number of programs and projects in the member's electorate were
funded in the last round. He has not sent me a card to thank me yet! I tell you
what: I get cards, flowers and things from lots of people, but never from the
member for Roe. Nothing! He is a hyena, sneaking around there, hanging around
those bins —
The SPEAKER : Leader of the
House, please resume your seat.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : KidSport
is working well. It is brilliant. I encourage all members to continue to be in
contact with their sporting clubs to make sure they know that the government
has enhanced and increased the program, because we want that money to get out
to the families who need it and we want to make sure that more and more kids in
Western Australia are playing sport, no matter where they live.
The SPEAKER : Hear, hear! Let
that be a reminder that when you are speaking, you need to stand in your place.
The member for North West Central with the last question.
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