Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Kemp. Minister, as you know, the 2006 Commonwealth Games are only 13 days away. Will you outline to the Senate how the Australian government has assisted the organising committee to prepare Melbourne to host the 18th Commonwealth Games? Is Melbourne ready and are our athletes ready?

Rod Kemp (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for the Arts and Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Fifield, for that very important question. The short answer to Senator Fifield’s question—‘Is Melbourne ready and are our athletes ready?’—is yes, they are. However, I will now give a longer answer to you, Senator Fifield, and I thank you particularly for your interest. As many senators and members will know, the Commonwealth Games provide Australia, and particularly Melbourne, with a chance to show once and for all why Melbourne is regarded as the world’s sporting capital—although, of course, as a Melbourne boy I may be a little bit biased.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It’s your swan song!

Rod Kemp (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for the Arts and Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Conroy agrees with that, too, I am delighted to hear.

Robert Ray (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Where’s the $80 million for the MCG?

Rod Kemp (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for the Arts and Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As it was during the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, the MCG will be the centrepiece of the games, where much of the sporting drama will unfold, Senator Ray. During the games, the G will transform from a theatre for art and culture to a theatre for sport. There was no surprise when the Treasurer, Peter Costello—Senator Ray, this will be of interest to you—announced that the G would be added to the national heritage register late last year, given its iconic status on the world sporting stage.

Robert Ray (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You didn’t put in a cent! You took the credit and didn’t pay up!

Rod Kemp (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for the Arts and Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I do not know whether anything can be done to control Senator Ray. He rarely comes to question time, and when he comes he behaves like this. The Docklands precinct, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre—

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He is going to be here longer than you!

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Conroy, you are a continual interjector today. If you do it again I am going to name you.

Rod Kemp (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for the Arts and Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. I have been joining the count too. Senator Conroy has interjected 48 times during question time, and I think that that is almost a record for anyone.

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Minister! I remind you to return to the question.

Rod Kemp (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for the Arts and Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, the Docklands precinct, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, the Melbourne Sport and Aquatics Centre, the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park and many other world-class sporting venues will help deliver a world-class sporting event. The 18th Commonwealth Games will bring together around 4½ thousand sportsmen and sportswomen from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories. There is no doubt that the international competition will be fierce, but our team is very well prepared. The Australian team will be the largest ever for the Commonwealth Games, with 426 athletes vying for a place on the podium. As many senators and members would know, there has been fierce competition in qualifying for these games and we know that our athletes are looking forward to the chance to compete.

The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games also feature a fully integrated competition for elite athletes with a disability, with 12 gold medals on offer in athletics, swimming, table tennis and weightlifting, all of which will count in the official medal tallies. No doubt all athletes will be hoping for gold, and I am sure that all senators and members wish our sportsmen and sportswomen all the best in their endeavours.

From assisting the volunteers in their roles throughout the games to supporting the Australian Sports Drug Agency in its job of stamping out drug cheats, the Australian government is providing some $290 million towards the running of a very successful games. I know Senator Ray would be very interested in that. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Ron Walker and John Harden, both of whom have worked very hard on these games and very closely with the Bracks Labor government in Victoria to help ensure that the games are a great success, which I am sure they will be.