BACK TO SPORT PROGRAM
845. Ms
A. SANDERSON to the Minister for Sport and Recreation:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's efforts to support both Western Australian families and
community groups as we recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how the government's Back to Sport
program will help more Western Australian kids get back into community sport?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this program will ensure that our community
sporting clubs remain strong?
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER: A bit of
respect for the senior member, thank you.
Mr M.P.
MURRAY replied:
(1)–(2) It is with great pleasure that I stand to answer
that great question from the member. In all seriousness, as a result of
the COVID-19 problem that we had, most kids dropped out of sport and it has
taken them a fair while to get them back and
participating. On top of the KidSport program, we tipped another $4 million,
courtesy of the Lotterywest COVID-19 Relief Fund, into the KidSport
program, which will allow 24 500 children to access
funding to help them get back into sport. If anyone wants to grizzle about
that, they can see me outside and I will give them a shake-up as well!
Several members interjected.
Mr M.P. MURRAY: Seriously, I
cannot see anyone wanting to grizzle.
Several members interjected.
Mr M.P. MURRAY: I reckon I will beat most of you!
We should be serious. This is a great
program. The program is needed. Many children out there are unable to
participate in sport because of funding or because their parents have lost
their jobs. We will expand the program so that people who are on JobSeeker can
claim $150.
I know that you are going to ask me
to move on, Mr Speaker. On top of that, $500 will be given to each club that
accesses KidSport. Every club out there can apply for a $500 grant that will
help the club itself organise those kids to get back into a sports program.
One
great thing I have noticed happening in KidSport—I have said this a couple
of times—is that kids have returned to play sport. When the kids
come off the ground, as part of their training, they use hand sanitiser. We
must ensure that clubs continue that
process. That is why we are putting money into those clubs. A total of $1 million
will be used to help clubs get kids back into KidSport. In all
sincerity, it is one of the greatest programs. I am not taking to heart what
the member for North West Central said about the KidSport program; I am saying
that we are enhancing it by $4 million. The Labor Party does care about
KidSport.
Mrs A.K. Hayden interjected.
The SPEAKER: Member for
Darling Range, I do not know who you are talking to but I call you to order for
the first time.
Mr V.A. Catania interjected.
The SPEAKER: Member for North
West Central, I call you to order.