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Comments from the Premier in relation to the stadium issue for those who missed it yesterday.
720 ABC PERTH – Mornings (HUTCHISON) - Ask the Premier Segment Wed 6 May
FRANCOIS (CALLER)
Yeah just a quick question for the Premier. You said that we’re going to have like a $400million advantage at the end this next budget, how come we can’t build a stadium when you said that for the next few years we’re going to be in… you know, in surplus again, and how come we can’t even build a stadium?
COLIN BARNETT
Four hundred million dollars does sound a large amount of money. It is in the context of a…. basically a $20billion budget so it can evaporate pretty quickly. The reason that we’ve put the stadium project on hold is that we have brought forward the construction of the new children’s hospital. Now you know, people can debate that but I think most people would agree that Princess Margaret Hospital has passed its used-by-date and that is a higher priority than a stadium for 20 matches a year.
Now I’m keen to do something first about having a rectangular stadium to cater for rugby and soccer, which really don’t have a facility that can accommodate the crowd and provide the sort of viewing experience.
Subiaco Oval, I know, and Andrew Demetriou says it’s the worst stadium in Australia, he’s probably right, but look, a game’s played, there was a derby during the weekend, it was a capacity crowd, people saw the game, they were there for two or three hours, enjoyed the footy. Is this… you know, is this the biggest issue, you know, Geoff’s just talking about, Geoff’s just talking about, you know, what we don’t do or don’t get right here, is the stadium really the biggest issue for Western Australia? The game took place, the crowd went along, they watched it, they enjoyed it and they’ll come back in another couple of weeks for another game.
GEOFF HUTCHISON
Okay, what likelihood, just finally, what likelihood does $70-$75million will be made available for improvements to Perth Oval – is that going to happen?
COLIN BARNETT
That won’t be in the budget but we are talking seriously about what we can do for rectangular sports, so it doesn’t meet this budget cycle but we are having discussions both with rugby and soccer and we’ll also be talking to the Federal Government, whether they want to come to the party. I think that is the next logical sport development in this state.