Get Involved - Parliament

Women's Sport Infrastructure

Published on: September 2022

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-127407

Women's Sport Infrastructure

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (15:25:48):

My question is directed to the Minister for Sport. Can the Minister update the House on the Government's support of sporting infrastructure, especially for women's sport?

Mr ALISTER HENSKENS (Ku-ring-gaiMinister for Skills and Training, Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, and Minister for Sport) (15:26:03):

— I thank the member for North Shore, who a few weeks ago spent with me a great day at North Sydney Oval watching the first AFL women's game by the Sydney Swans in front of 8,000 spectators. It was an afternoon full of excitement and promise. I remind members of the House it is only three more sleeps until the Swans are in the grand final.

The New South Wales Liberals-National Government has led the nation in sports infrastructure. We prioritise those projects that will ensure that girls and women can enjoy the same sporting opportunities as boys and men. Last month we announced the $25 million Female Friendly Facilities Fund. It is not just great alliteration but an absolutely great policy for community sports facilities all around our State to make sure that they have safe and inclusive venues for girls and women.

The SPEAKER:

I call the member for Shellharbour to order for the second time.

Mr ALISTER HENSKENS:

Female sport is going from strength to strength in this State.

The SPEAKER:

I call the member for Shellharbour to order for the third time.

Mr ALISTER HENSKENS:

Community sports facilities deserve our Government support. But it's not just about grassroots sport. It is also about female spectator experience and elite sportswomen having first-class facilities as well because our girls need to be able to see what they can be. Allianz is a giant leap forward in accessibility and equality both for female spectators and female athletes. In western Sydney, at Accor Stadium in the Sydney Olympic Park, we are spending millions of dollars on capital works to make sure that it is ready for the 2023 FIFA Women's Football World Cup—one of the leading women's sports events in the world.

Talking about leading global women's sports events, tomorrow night the Women's Basketball World Cup starts here in Sydney. We are really hoping that Lauren Jackson and the Opals can bring it home for Australia. So, whether it is female-friendly sporting facilities or world-leading female competitions, New South Wales is leading the nation. But those opposite will be surprised because when they think of sports infrastructure, they think of the VIP suite and the member for Coogee at the Allianz Stadium. That is what they think. They are full of hypocrisy. Hey, it is not just the Roosters. They played only two games. It is not just the Roosters.

Mr Jihad Dib:

Point of order—

The SPEAKER:

The Minister will resume his seat.

Interruption

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The SPEAKER:

What is the member's point of order?

Mr Jihad Dib:

Mr Speaker, I think it is pretty clear, isn't it?

The SPEAKER:

What is the member's point of order?

Mr Jihad Dib:

My point of order relates to Standing Order 129. He has gone so far out.

The SPEAKER:

There is no point of order. The Minister may continue. The member for Lakemba will resume his seat.

Mr Jihad Dib:

Mr Speaker, if I may. The question was about infrastructure and women's participation.

The SPEAKER:

The member for Lakemba will resume his seat.

Mr ALISTER HENSKENS:Time expired.

They are defying the leader. They are a complete and utter rabble. They have no plan. []