By: Nick Tyrrell
Liberal Senate candidate Nick Tyrrell welcomed today’s announcement that the Airport Group is negotiating to secure land for a new stadium in the city, and said the federal and ACT governments no longer had a reason to stall.
Mr Tyrrell said the Canberra Airport Group is showing what leadership looks like, as opposed to Labor’s 10 reports in 17 years.
“The Airport Group is negotiating to buy land for a stadium. Labor spent $10m this year on commissioning yet another study into Bruce, and bought another PDF.” Mr Tyrrell said. “I know which one I’d rather have.”
“This is the kind of leadership Canberra has been waiting for, and coming from the private sector it sadly highlights the lack of vision from Canberra’s Labor leaders.”
Mr Tyrrell said Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, first elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2001, had been part of the stadium debate for most of her career, including as Chief Minister when the 2013 City to the Lake plan included a stadium in Civic.
“Senator Gallagher has said herself that Canberra ‘certainly needs a new stadium’. Nobody disagrees. But the Raiders and the Brumbies are still playing in a stadium where the roof leaks in a rain, and Senator Gallagher’s answer was yet another overpriced report.”
Mr Tyrrell said Canberra was crying out for leadership and vision.
“If there’s a big game in town, you want to showcase your city to the world. When those games and concerts go to Sydney, so does the money, to hospitality businesses and accommodation venues far away from Canberra. We are sick of missing out,” Mr Tyrrell said.
He also pointed to the federal Labor government’s $240 million commitment to a stadium in Hobart.
“If Senator Gallagher as the Finance Minister can find $240 million for Hobart, she can at least sit down with a Canberra company that has shown huge commitment to this city, and work through the city stadium option.”
Mr Tyrrell said any proposal would still need to stack up on cost to taxpayers, transport and the impact on neighbouring residents, but that work could start now.
“Senator Gallagher should meet with the Airport Group within the next month and tell Canberrans whether the Commonwealth is prepared to be part of this. Canberrans are tired of the same old studies. They want to see progress.”