Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before asking that the motion be taken as formal, I wish to inform the chamber that Senator Farrell will sponsor the motion, and I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 380.

Leave granted.

I, and also on behalf of Senator Farrell, move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) sport and physical recreation are essential elements of the culture of many Australians,

(ii) sport and physical recreation are necessary for the maintenance of good mental and physical health and wellbeing,

(iii) participation in sport plays an important role in the development of social, organisational and communication skills,

(iv) community-based sporting clubs and associations are an integral part of our society,

(v) Government has a responsibility to ensure equitable access to affordable sport and physical recreation facilities and services, and

(vi) the integrity of sport should be encouraged by sound and transparent governance structures; and

(b) calls on the Government to provide the tens of millions in extra funding for all applications under the Community Sport Infrastructure Program that were recommended or listed for recommendation by Sport Australia, but not awarded grants by the Minister.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Our government's Community Sport Infrastructure grants program has funded 684 local sporting projects by investing $100 million. The program is supporting the construction of new community infrastructure and upgrading many sporting facilities to help support local jobs, increase participation in sport and get more Australians moving. In relation to paragraph (b), funding decisions relating to sport must be dealt with through the budget process, and therefore we oppose this motion.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 380, as amended, be agreed to.