❓ Mr. Watson questions the Minister for Sport and Recreation about VenuesWest's decision to sanction drag racing events at the Perth Motorplex with the IHRA instead of ANDRA, citing concerns about potential losses for ANDRA and its members. The Minister defends VenuesWest's process and decision.
AnsweredQoN 186Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
VENUESWEST — PERTH MOTORPLEX — DRAG
RACING
186. Mr P.B. WATSON to the Minister for
Sport and Recreation:
I refer to ongoing concerns by
members of the Australian National Drag Racing Association over the sanctioning
of drag racing events at the Perth Motorplex.
(1) Why did not
VenuesWest seek advice from the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport about
VenuesWest's assessment that the International Hot Rod Association was
a suitable sanctioning body?
(2) Is the
minister aware that ANDRA and its many members face significant loss of
earnings and possible closure here in Western Australia as a result of this
decision?
(3) Will the
minister overturn the assessment of the International Hot Rod Association as a suitable
sanctioning body pending a complete review of VenuesWest's handling of
this matter?
RACING
186. Mr P.B. WATSON to the Minister for
Sport and Recreation:
I refer to ongoing concerns by
members of the Australian National Drag Racing Association over the sanctioning
of drag racing events at the Perth Motorplex.
(1) Why did not
VenuesWest seek advice from the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport about
VenuesWest's assessment that the International Hot Rod Association was
a suitable sanctioning body?
(2) Is the
minister aware that ANDRA and its many members face significant loss of
earnings and possible closure here in Western Australia as a result of this
decision?
(3) Will the
minister overturn the assessment of the International Hot Rod Association as a suitable
sanctioning body pending a complete review of VenuesWest's handling of
this matter?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) We
did not talk to the international overarching body because we referred to a national
body in Australia, from which VenuesWest and the Department of Sport and
Recreation took advice. It is the appropriate body in Australia. In relation to
the sanctioning body for these events, yes there has been a change, and there
has been a significant amount of concern in the industry about ANDRA's
role as a sanctioning body and in running some of those events itself. There
have been discussions with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Mr
P.B. Watson interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Albany, ask a supplementary.
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : I am confident that VenuesWest has done the right thing. It
has worked very closely with all the stakeholders. There are some unhappy
stakeholders in this space. From VenuesWest's point of view, I have
been briefed on this matter and I am confident it has gone down the right path
to make sure we have played the correct role in delivering an outcome. That may
not be agreed within the industry —
Mr
P.B. Watson : The industry is not running it. You're against the
people who run it.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany!
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : Thank you, Mr Speaker. All I am saying is that we have worked
through the issues with the industry. I am confident that VenuesWest has
conducted itself appropriately, so there is not anything further.
did not talk to the international overarching body because we referred to a national
body in Australia, from which VenuesWest and the Department of Sport and
Recreation took advice. It is the appropriate body in Australia. In relation to
the sanctioning body for these events, yes there has been a change, and there
has been a significant amount of concern in the industry about ANDRA's
role as a sanctioning body and in running some of those events itself. There
have been discussions with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Mr
P.B. Watson interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Albany, ask a supplementary.
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : I am confident that VenuesWest has done the right thing. It
has worked very closely with all the stakeholders. There are some unhappy
stakeholders in this space. From VenuesWest's point of view, I have
been briefed on this matter and I am confident it has gone down the right path
to make sure we have played the correct role in delivering an outcome. That may
not be agreed within the industry —
Mr
P.B. Watson : The industry is not running it. You're against the
people who run it.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany!
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : Thank you, Mr Speaker. All I am saying is that we have worked
through the issues with the industry. I am confident that VenuesWest has
conducted itself appropriately, so there is not anything further.
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