Government says it has 600 applications under review, rushing the process would undermine the program’s purpose and will be a disservice to communities.
The issue of sporting infrastructure took centre stage in the House of Representatives on Aug. 19 as both sides of the political aisle debated the government’s commitment to supporting grassroots sports.
The motion, introduced by Melissa Whip, the opposition whip, who called on the government to deal with delays in improving sporting facilities, particularly for women and young girls.
Price criticised the government for its supposedly slow response following a major policy announcement during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The opposition pointed to its $250 million commitment towards sporting facilities for women and young girls.
“We also announced we would seek state and territory funding to match our investment, generating a total investment of $500 million. Days later, the Labor government announced a program of their own, which was a backfoot response to our announcement, but I still welcomed it,” Price said.
However, she claimed that 12 months later, after Labor’s announcements, there was nothing to show.
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“Community sporting organisations have been left in limbo, with clubs still unaware if they have been successful. This, of course, grinds those sporting organisations’ plans to upgrade to a halt.”
Melissa McIntosh, also of the Liberal Party echoed similar sentiments, calling on the government to “stop the delay, step up, and support our sporting clubs.”
She underscored the importance of sport for young people, both for physical and mental health, and expressed concern over the lack of investment in sports and activities for youth, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
In response, Jerome Laxale of the Labor Party defended the government’s Play Our Way program, arguing it was not a reactionary measure but a cornerstone of the government’s commitment to inclusivity in sports.
He claimed that the program was designed to address long-standing inequities, particularly in women’s sports participation, and emphasised the rigorous and independent process used to assess funding applications.
“We will not take advice from the Liberals and Nationals on this issue. We have engaged with experts across sport and government, including the establishment of an independent and expert advisory panel to ensure that this program delivers the best possible outcome for women and girls in communities across Australia. This process is rigorous and meticulous.
“We’ve received over 600 applications from every corner of the country, each one representing a unique community with specific needs. And to rush this process would be a disservice to those communities, and it would undermine the very purpose of this program,” Laxale stated.
He also took a dig at the Liberal Party, criticising it for its track record, pointing to the “sports rorts” scandal, where public funds were allegedly distributed based on political considerations rather than community needs.
He asserted that his government was committed to integrity and fairness.
