❓ Question regarding the McGowan government's support for the Australian and New Zealand bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, with the Minister outlining investments and benefits.
AnsweredQoN 502Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FIFA WOMEN'S
WORLD CUP 2023
502. Ms
J.M. FREEMAN to the Minister for Sport and Recreation:
As the proud patron of the Northern
Redbacks Women's Soccer Club in Balga, I refer to the impending
announcement as to who will host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. Can
the minister outline to the house how the McGowan Labor government has
supported the Australian and New Zealand bid to ensure it is in the best
possible position to secure this world-class sporting event?
WORLD CUP 2023
502. Ms
J.M. FREEMAN to the Minister for Sport and Recreation:
As the proud patron of the Northern
Redbacks Women's Soccer Club in Balga, I refer to the impending
announcement as to who will host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. Can
the minister outline to the house how the McGowan Labor government has
supported the Australian and New Zealand bid to ensure it is in the best
possible position to secure this world-class sporting event?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for that question
and for her support of teams out that way, which we have been out to look at a couple
of times. Firstly, I must point out the small-mindedness of the National Party
in not recognising the Australian colours of the Matildas and our Australian
teams. What a small-minded mob they are! They remind me of a bunch of Lego tools—all bits and pieces that do not fit
anywhere. They have different colours and are all bundled into one bag
and thrown out the door! They are all Legos that do not fit anywhere. And they
do not understand about sport either, although at times they profess to do so!
The SPEAKER : Minister!
Mr M.P. MURRAY : Thank you, Mr
Speaker, for that call!
Tonight's
decision on the rights to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 is very
important to Western Australia, Australia and New Zealand. We have done
everything in Western Australia and Australia to make sure that our bid has
been up-front and is very much in the forefront of being announced tomorrow. We
do not have the final say, of course—FIFA has the final say. We have
done everything possible in Western Australia to make sure that we have put
ourselves at the forefront. We recently announced a $16 million grant towards
the construction of a world-class state football centre at Queens Park. The
Premier was out there having a kick. His skills alone probably ensure that we
will get this here! There is no doubt about that whatsoever.
Let
me get back to the real issue. This is about women's sport as well.
That facility out there is for both males and females, and juniors. Do not
forget that—it is not just a one-sided facility. Women have been
underestimated in sport for many years. There has been no greater change to the
sporting fraternity than recently with the AFL, with women having their own
competition. That is something that every league association in the state has
adopted, and adopted very well. It is great to see that. But again, with
a round football, they have been doing it for years. They did not have to be
pushed or shoved, because they showed leadership. That also gives us a chance
to host the upcoming World Cup. That World Cup will bring huge benefits to Western
Australia. If we get a couple of games here, associated
industries will be party to that, along with of course the tourism promotions
that that will get worldwide. Sooner or later, we know that those borders we
have been very carefully monitoring will be open to the world. Those people
will want to move very quickly. If things turn out properly tomorrow, we will
be on the front stage.
The venue itself will be completed
in time for the World Cup in 2023. It will have a training facility, a place
where the Australian team could be based, along with training facilities for
other teams. We have made sure we have done our best to promote Western Australia
as a place to play sport.
The actual promotion and the funding
that has come in is certainly something that makes sure that we are there. I take
my hat off to the federal government, which has also put its hand in its pocket
to help us along this line. If we do not have those facilities, where will we
get the next Sam Kerr from? We need women in leadership roles to aspire people
to be one of them. What a wonderful woman! That young lady has no pretentious
issues about her. She works very hard promoting her sport, and women's
sport in particular—and Western Australia, I must say. She is a credit
to her mother and father, who are great people as well, for what she has done
for this sport.
We have other stadiums around the
place, such as the world-renowned Optus Stadium. It has been magnificently
promoted by this government. We have done so much to bring that through. Look
at what happened this week. Someone who said
they would never come across wants to play there! We are going to allow them to
play AFL there . We encourage them to
come over and play there. Again, Western Australia will get economic benefits
out of that stadium . I am sure the National Party would be very happy to
hear about that stadium opening because 2 500 tonnes of beef goes into the pies
at Optus Stadium! We cannot forget that 2 500 tonnes of beef goes into those
pies!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Wrap it up, minister!
Mr M.P. MURRAY : I am sorry,
Mr Speaker, but I have to take up some time here because I never ever get a question
from the other side! I have to get the question coming from my side and get rid
of my frustrations about those people over there. They are really not set on
doing a very good job, but I understand that.
The SPEAKER : Can you take
your frustrations outside?
Mr M.P. MURRAY : I will
finish, to be quite honest, in thanking the people who have worked very hard in
ensuring that our bid is up-front and has a very good chance of being
successful. Along with that is the local soccer community, including Football
West. We know how hard they have worked in that area in not only promoting the
World Cup, but other areas as well. Let us hope it turns out right and we are
able to promote Western Australia to the rest of the world.
and for her support of teams out that way, which we have been out to look at a couple
of times. Firstly, I must point out the small-mindedness of the National Party
in not recognising the Australian colours of the Matildas and our Australian
teams. What a small-minded mob they are! They remind me of a bunch of Lego tools—all bits and pieces that do not fit
anywhere. They have different colours and are all bundled into one bag
and thrown out the door! They are all Legos that do not fit anywhere. And they
do not understand about sport either, although at times they profess to do so!
The SPEAKER : Minister!
Mr M.P. MURRAY : Thank you, Mr
Speaker, for that call!
Tonight's
decision on the rights to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 is very
important to Western Australia, Australia and New Zealand. We have done
everything in Western Australia and Australia to make sure that our bid has
been up-front and is very much in the forefront of being announced tomorrow. We
do not have the final say, of course—FIFA has the final say. We have
done everything possible in Western Australia to make sure that we have put
ourselves at the forefront. We recently announced a $16 million grant towards
the construction of a world-class state football centre at Queens Park. The
Premier was out there having a kick. His skills alone probably ensure that we
will get this here! There is no doubt about that whatsoever.
Let
me get back to the real issue. This is about women's sport as well.
That facility out there is for both males and females, and juniors. Do not
forget that—it is not just a one-sided facility. Women have been
underestimated in sport for many years. There has been no greater change to the
sporting fraternity than recently with the AFL, with women having their own
competition. That is something that every league association in the state has
adopted, and adopted very well. It is great to see that. But again, with
a round football, they have been doing it for years. They did not have to be
pushed or shoved, because they showed leadership. That also gives us a chance
to host the upcoming World Cup. That World Cup will bring huge benefits to Western
Australia. If we get a couple of games here, associated
industries will be party to that, along with of course the tourism promotions
that that will get worldwide. Sooner or later, we know that those borders we
have been very carefully monitoring will be open to the world. Those people
will want to move very quickly. If things turn out properly tomorrow, we will
be on the front stage.
The venue itself will be completed
in time for the World Cup in 2023. It will have a training facility, a place
where the Australian team could be based, along with training facilities for
other teams. We have made sure we have done our best to promote Western Australia
as a place to play sport.
The actual promotion and the funding
that has come in is certainly something that makes sure that we are there. I take
my hat off to the federal government, which has also put its hand in its pocket
to help us along this line. If we do not have those facilities, where will we
get the next Sam Kerr from? We need women in leadership roles to aspire people
to be one of them. What a wonderful woman! That young lady has no pretentious
issues about her. She works very hard promoting her sport, and women's
sport in particular—and Western Australia, I must say. She is a credit
to her mother and father, who are great people as well, for what she has done
for this sport.
We have other stadiums around the
place, such as the world-renowned Optus Stadium. It has been magnificently
promoted by this government. We have done so much to bring that through. Look
at what happened this week. Someone who said
they would never come across wants to play there! We are going to allow them to
play AFL there . We encourage them to
come over and play there. Again, Western Australia will get economic benefits
out of that stadium . I am sure the National Party would be very happy to
hear about that stadium opening because 2 500 tonnes of beef goes into the pies
at Optus Stadium! We cannot forget that 2 500 tonnes of beef goes into those
pies!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Wrap it up, minister!
Mr M.P. MURRAY : I am sorry,
Mr Speaker, but I have to take up some time here because I never ever get a question
from the other side! I have to get the question coming from my side and get rid
of my frustrations about those people over there. They are really not set on
doing a very good job, but I understand that.
The SPEAKER : Can you take
your frustrations outside?
Mr M.P. MURRAY : I will
finish, to be quite honest, in thanking the people who have worked very hard in
ensuring that our bid is up-front and has a very good chance of being
successful. Along with that is the local soccer community, including Football
West. We know how hard they have worked in that area in not only promoting the
World Cup, but other areas as well. Let us hope it turns out right and we are
able to promote Western Australia to the rest of the world.
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