Luke Howarth (Petrie, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When I went to see then Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2015, I had a pile of petitions under my arm, my cap in hand and one thing on my mind—'Get this stadium across the line.' I was suitably stroppy that just a few weeks earlier the budget had failed to make available funding to build Dolphin Stadium. Sure, we were after a fair bit of coin—$6 million, in fact—but this was an important project that would deliver in spades for the extended Dolphins family, from under-7s to rep players, the board's administrative team, families, supporters and volunteers. But it would also create jobs and fuel community regeneration.

I must've been peeved enough because the PM did get on board, and the stadium has since gone on to be built and draw enormous crowds at a range of events. Most recently in football, Peninsula Power played Melbourne City in an FFA match. Also, the schoolboys rugby league football comp that the member opposite just spoke about is being played there, as well as Indigenous carnivals. I am extremely pleased to announce to the House that the Rugby League International Federation has chosen the Redcliffe Dolphins as the venue for the 2015 Rugby League Commonwealth Championship. The event will be held in February and draws together Commonwealth nations in a nine-a-side competition involving 10 teams. It is fantastic news and part of greater success for Dolphin Stadium.