Melissa Price
Durack · Liberal Party · Australia
“That dream is born out of the pride they have in watching their current sporting heroes on the national and international stage created by major sporting events. I turn now to the legislation before us, the Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Act 2014.”
“However, whilst some may claim that it might create efficiencies, it does so by trading off on transparency. Members of parliament will only see the decisions once they are law. This debate is not whether indicia or images should be protected or not, because they already are, and, of course, we all agree they should be protected.”
“These include the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup, the 2022 Men's T20 World Cup and the record-breaking 2023 Women's World Cup. There are also other major events in the future to be recognised by this act, such as the 2027 Rugby World Cup, the 2028 Men's T20 World Cup and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
“When our athletes wear the green and gold, they carry millions of Australians with them literally on their back. The merchandise worn in stadiums, around the world and in schoolyards are symbols of aspiration and of national pride.”
“In Senate estimates, Australian Sports Commission CEO, Kieren Perkins—another superstar—confirmed that circa 2,000 athletes currently receive direct athlete support. However, they have no certainty that their scholarships will continue beyond today.”
“Instead of backing grassroots sport, Labor is more interested in protecting their bottom line and creating more uncertainty for the organisations delivering these programs. The coalition supports the protection of indicia and images for major sporting events.”
The complete record
Every one of 360 lines we hold for Melissa Price, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 8 of 8.
“She will be an incredible representative for the people of Bindoon following the upcoming state election. Mem and I understand only too well the importance of investing in regional infrastructure to boost tourism and drive local economic growth. So I, together with Mem Beard, will not stop fighting for regional Western Australia and the people of Bindoon. The people in Bindoon and Chittering deserve for the Bindoon Mountain Bike Park stage 2 to be invested in, and that is what we will do.”
“This placed an unnecessary financial burden on the local community, which was yet another slap in the face to regional Western Australians who continue to be overlooked by this government. Despite Bindoon's close proximity to Perth, it appears Labor still considered that it is too far away to care about, because we know that for those opposite it's only cities that matter. This is why, when the WA Cook Labor state government recently announced $23 million for outdoor adventure projects across WA, bizarrely, Bindoon was once again completely overlooked. I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hardworking member for North West Central, Merome Beard MLA, for her tireless advocacy on this issue. Mem is the Liberal candidate for the new seat of Mid-West.”
“A dual access way for emergency services will also be constructed, ensuring greater safety for all visitors. On top of this, a WA Mettam Liberal state government will commit $600,000 for a pump track and essential infrastructure upgrades to improve accessibility for families. This is real investment in WA, not the empty promises and neglect that we continue to see from Labor. I am very proud that the former federal Liberal government committed $1 million to fund stage 1 of this really important park. I was, however, subsequently so disappointed when the Albanese Labor government refused to honour this funding commitment, forcing the Shire of Chittering to cover the costs.”
“The Bindoon Mountain Bike Park is a fantastic asset for Western Australia. Located in the southern part of my electorate of Durack, the park is situated in Bindoon, a town that is just over an hour's drive north of Perth, and it serves as a vital regional hub for surrounding communities. With its stunning natural setting and well-designed trails, the park has quickly become a major drawcard for outdoor enthusiasts, families and tourists. Recognising the potential of the park, I am very excited today to announce that a Dutton coalition government will commit to investing $1.5 million to deliver stage 2 of the Bindoon Mountain Bike Park. This will include more than 10 kilometres of new trails featuring advanced double-black, black and blue trails, as well as a dedicated walking track—that's the track that I'll be using, by the way.”
“Failing to manage the economy and failing to support our regions are typical features— The minister has a lot to say at the moment about people listening here, but she has failed regional Western Australia—as have many of the ministers. Whether it's housing— The minister continues to talk over the top of me, such is the disrespect of this government. We have seen underspending on a fantastic program which should be supporting regional areas. This government has failed Western Australia and Western Australians. They will remember that when we finally get to that election date.”
“Not one cent has been delivered from that program to fund projects in Durack. Two projects were announced but not a single cent has been delivered. Round 1 was a complete joke, marred by delays, and, incredibly, the minister—who happens to be sitting here in the chamber—underspent the pool by about $90 million. Honestly—there weren't enough projects that could have spent that $90 million? This meant that projects like the Newman Youth Centre in the Pilbara weren't supported in round 1. But incredibly, just months out from an election, it's now all of a sudden deemed worthy of funding. Why wasn't it funded in round 1? The minister is sitting here, so I ask her that. This was always a worthwhile project, and Labor should not have delayed its approval, because, as we in the bush know, this has inevitably led to cost blowouts.”
“The Prime Minister said that live exports were in decline and that this policy would boost domestic production. Well, how out of touch was the Prime Minister? Already we know that to be a furphy because, in the same week in January that the Tammin sheep abattoir closed—and it is going to be back in Durack at the next election—the Moroccan government announced they would begin to take our live sheep. Confidence has collapsed since this decision, and the domestic market is suffering as a result. Farmers are rushing to get out of sheep, and farming communities are hurting. In terms of regional infrastructure: as I've pointed out to the House several times, this government is failing us. Those opposite ripped up the Building Better Regions Fund and replaced it with their Growing Regions program.”
“Unfortunately there is no guarantee that we will get a pre-election cut, as core inflation—the RBA's preferred measure—still sits outside the RBA's target band at 3.2 per cent. While Labor's failure to deal with the rising cost of living is front of mind for most Australians, people in my part of the world, in regional Western Australia, are also deeply concerned by this government's attacks on farmers and failure to invest in the bush. The Prime Minister often credits Western Australia with his election in 2022. Why, then, did he insist on betraying Western Australia and our regional communities by banning the live sheep trade? This policy wasn't based on science or animal welfare concerns; instead, it was all about currying favour with inner-city voters on the east coast.”
“Under those opposite, interest rates have increased 12 times, energy bills have risen by $1,000, living standards have collapsed, 27,000 businesses have gone insolvent and we're also in a record-breaking household recession. In the last few weeks, we've seen Labor patting themselves on the back and rubbing their hands together for, hopefully, some good pre-election news, for the government is hoping for an interest rate cut when the RBA meets on 18 February. Let me tell you, Deputy Speaker: I want to see interest rates come down. People are hurting out there. Higher interest rates have been absolutely devastating, and they've meant that families with a typical mortgage have had to pay an additional $50,000 of interest since Labor came to government in May 2022.”
“I rise today on what will most likely be the second-last Thursday of this parliament. I was first elected to represent the mighty electorate of Durack in 2013, and I can confidently say that this 47th parliament is the least effective that I have witnessed. As this parliament draws to a close, it is worth taking time to reflect on this term and whether this government has improved the lives of everyday Australians. As we get ready to go to the polls, the question that Australians will be asking themselves is this: 'Am I better off now than I was three years ago?' Sadly, for the vast majority of Australians, the answer will be no. Under Labor's economic mismanagement, Australians are experiencing the longest sustained period of inflation since the 1980s.”