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- 4 September 2002
World Cup Soccer Bid
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Urgent Motion
Mr TRIPODI (Fairfield) [3.51 p.m.]: I move:
That this House supports Australia's bid to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and welcomes initiatives by the State Government to develop soccer in New South Wales.
The Sydney Olympic Games, the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, the 2003 Rugby World Cup, and the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne are all massive international undertakings and the right to host them all has been won by Australia. We are the country to which world organisations are turning to deliver major sporting events. Thanks to the best-ever Olympics, our credentials are now recognised throughout the world. As the Premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks, says, "We are winning these events because of our outstanding reputation." We showed we have the infrastructure, technical expertise and the dedicated volunteers to deliver the best-ever Olympics-the best not by an inch but by a mile. The annual Grands Prix, the State of Origin, the Rugby League and Australian Rules Grand Finals, the Bledisloe Cup and other rugby union test matches continue to confirm our management abilities.
This expertise was one of the key reasons why on 14 August the Premier, in conjunction with the Victorian Government, announced that Australia would bid to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the world's biggest single sporting event. The 2006 cup will be held in Germany, while the 2010 event has been designated to Africa. I would like to point out that none other than the FIFA President, Mr Sepp Blatter, who attended Sydney Opera House for the announcement, immediately supported Australia's plan for a bid-as did every State and Territory government and Soccer Australia, who, as the nation's soccer federation, would officially present the bid. Why should these groups not support it? It is a very serious bid.
Australia has experience in hosting major international soccer tournaments. We have the necessary technical skill in soccer. In 1993 Australia hosted the FIFA World Youth Championships, and of course in 2000 the under-23 Olympic tournament. Our sporting infrastructure and technical expertise will continue to be improved with the hosting of major events, including the 2003 Rugby World Cup and the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. We are well positioned. To host a FIFA World Cup a country must meet a number of strict criteria, including proposed match venues. Stadiums, of which there must be eight to 10 in operation, for example, must be "all-seater" stadiums with a minimum capacity of 40,000. Australia is already well placed to meet these requirements, due in part to the legacy of the 2000 Olympics and Paralympics.
We have facilities like Telstra Australia Stadium and Aussie Stadium in Sydney, Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Telstra Dome in Melbourne, and Suncorp Stadium and the Gabba in Brisbane. These venues already meet FIFA regulations, are in the process of being upgraded, or would require small alterations to fulfil FIFA regulations. There are other issues that further enhance Australia's credentials. For example, night matches in Australia would be seen live on television, at prime time, in Asia, the world's fastest-growing television audience. The 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan-Korea also showed that record television audiences could still be achieved when matches are shown live in Europe in the early afternoon.
China's first appearance at this year's World Cup attracted record television ratings. More than 330 million Chinese watched at least some part of China's game against Brazil. Australia's bid would not be disadvantaged by time-zone differences with the traditional football powerhouses of Europe and South America. We are not kidding ourselves. To secure a World Cup is a massive task-but so was winning the right to host the 2000 Olympics. The question must be asked: Why are members opposite so negative when it comes to Australian soccer? To use the current position of Soccer Australia as a valid reason not to support the bid is a cop-out; it is as simple as that. The official bidding process for the 2014 FIFA World Cup would not commence until 2006. Surely that is a realistic timetable for Soccer Australia to get its house in order. Over the past 12 months Soccer Australia has substantially reduced its debt and is in the process of implementing structural change.
In saying this, as the FIFA World Cup is the world's largest single sporting event, it would be preferable that any bid have the support of both State and Federal governments. That is why the Premier has written to the Prime Minister to ask him to bring on board an official intergovernmental working party is to continue work on an Australian bid to host the cup. It would be the forerunner to the establishment of an official bid committee along the lines of the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. The working party would examine the full cost of staging the World Cup; Australia's preparedness to host the event, including stadium capacity; the structure, personnel and budget for an official bid committee; the need for any legislation and/or State-Territory-Commonwealth agreements; experience of recent hosts, such as Japan-Korea for the 2002 World Cup; and economic benefits to the Australian economy.
It is anticipated that the intergovernmental working party would comprise the Premiers and Chief Minister representatives from New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland, the Commonwealth Government, respective State and Territory major events boards, and Soccer Australia. The Opposition has claimed that we have hijacked the bid process. This is simply ludicrous. The reason that New South Wales is so keen on the World Cup-aside from our proven capacity to host the largest of events and the massive financial and branding benefits-is the simple fact that New South Wales is the home of soccer in Australia. There are more than 200,000 registered players in New South Wales. Queensland follows, with 50,000. And the popularity of soccer continues to rise. Almost 150,000 registered players in New South Wales are under the age of 16.
Soccer is now the most popular participation sport for Australian boys aged between five and 14. It is also the fastest-growing support for girls in the same age group. There are more than 820 soccer clubs affiliated with the three soccer organisations of New South Wales, namely the New South Wales Soccer Federation, the New South Wales Amateur Soccer Federation and the Northern New South Wales Soccer Federation. Each year soccer's participation rate grows by 4 to 5 per cent for boys and by 12 to 15 per cent for girls. Leading Socceroos, including Captain Paul Okon, Brett Emerton, Hayden Foxe, Lucas Neill, Mark Bosnich and the one and only, Fairfield's own, Harry Kewell, are all New South Wales products. That is why I move this motion in the New South Wales Parliament today, and that is why kids across the State are lining up to sign the World Cup bid petition. I encourage all soccer clubs, players and fans to continue to do so. Let us get behind the bid and move away from the attitude that it is all too difficult. We have proved we have the ability to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup-it is as simple as that.
Mr STONER (Oxley) [3.58 p.m.]: There is no doubt that the Soccer World Cup is a huge international sporting event that brings massive economic benefits to the host country. There is also no doubt that Australia is extremely well equipped to host large international events of this type. I instance the Olympic Games, the Paralympics and the imminent Rugby Union World Cup. Soccer has become increasingly popular in Australia and New South Wales. There are 200,000 registered players in New South Wales, and 150,000 of those are aged under 16. Indeed, my son Beau has played soccer for both his local club side at Wauchope and the Oxley representative side. I am well aware of the popularity of soccer amongst young people. Indeed, I have helped by setting up goal posts, washing jerseys, and so on.
The level of performance of Australian players is improving, with international players like Harry Kewell, Mark Bosnich, Mark Viduka, Paul Okon, Brett Emerton, Hayden Foxe, Lucas Neill, Marco Bresciano and more than 100 Australians playing in some of the world's best leagues in Spain, England, Italy, Germany, France and the Netherlands. The Australian World Cup side has done particularly well, especially in 1998, as have the Australian youth teams. I instance the performance of some of those sides. In the under-17 world championships the Australian side were runners-up in 1999 and quarterfinalists in 1991, 1993 and 1995. In the world youth under-20 championship, the Australian team were semifinalists in 1991 and 1993 and quarterfinalists in 1995, and in the under-23 Olympic tournament at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics the Australian side were semifinalists. Australia is well and truly up there on the international stage with its soccer performances.
In relation to a bid for the Soccer World Cup for 2014, the question is whether Soccer Australia is ready to bid for that event. The other question is: Why now, after the Labor Government has not bothered for the past 7½ years to bid for major events? I instance only $1.675 million spent by the Department of Sport and Recreation since 1995-96 on staging international events in New South Wales. Compare that to Victoria's budget for bidding for international events of $45 million per annum. This bid has all the earmarks of a publicity stunt by the Premier in the lead-up to next year's election. The announcement was timed to appear in Sunday morning's papers. There had been no communication whatever with the Federal Government or the Prime Minister. On 5 August, the day after the Premier's announcement, the Prime Minister said:
Countries host World Cup soccer events, not states or cities. I actually knew about it when I picked up the Sunday papers. It had all the hallmarks to me of a Sunday political stunt rather than a serious attempt to help soccer. Look, the Federal Government's very committed to helping soccer in Australia and we think it's got a great future. It has very strong grass root support, especially amongst the young, and I think we have to sort of crawl before we walk in relation to things like international bids.
… if you're serious about mounting a bid like this you don't try and steal the PR marks. You sit down and work out with everyone involved. And Mr Blatter has made it very plain to me this morning that FIFA's not interested in bids that don't have the full involvement of the national government. So my advice to Bob Carr and Steve Bracks is that if you're serious lets help Soccer Australia get its act together and when that occurs then let all of us sit down and work out how best we can promote Soccer Australia as a potential host at some time in the future for an event of this magnitude.
The Federal Government supports a future bid but it also would like to see the proper processes followed and it would like to see a bid that has the involvement of all the stakeholders. It would like to see a bid that is professional, convincing and comprehensive so that we do not prejudice our chances to host the event in the future. The Australian Sports Commission would need to be involved and co-ordinate the bid because, as the Prime Minister pointed out, the Soccer World Cup is awarded to a nation, not to a State. There was also no consultation with the head of Soccer Australia. If there had been, the Premier would have been told that Soccer Australia wants to get its own backyard in order. He also did not speak with Nick Greiner. I shall read what Soccer Australia chairman Ian Knop had to say.
Mr Tripodi: You are not quoting from my press release, are you?
Mr STONER: No, I am not. Ian Knop said:
Soccer Australia will only participate in future bids for the FIFA Confederations Cup and World Cup if they are endorsed and supported by the Australian Sports Commission and the Federal Government.
However, since I became Chairman, I have sought to involve the Australian Sports Commission in our game, and they and the Federal Government must be part of any future bidding process.
The Federal Government and the Australian Sports Commission have been extremely supportive of Soccer Australia in recent times and we are planning many new initiatives in co-operation with them.
The Australian Sports Commission needed to be involved, as did Soccer Australia. If Soccer Australia is not ready to develop and mount a convincing bid, it would be detrimental to Australia's future prospects to host the Soccer World Cup. Surely it is better to wait and prepare a comprehensive and convincing bid when Soccer Australia is ready and has sorted out its internal affairs and when the other players are fully involved in the bid. Clearly the announcement by the Premier was a stunt designed to attract the maximum publicity in the lead-up to the election.
I ask why the Minister for Sport and Recreation was not present on the harbour cruise with the FIFA president for that grand announcement? Clearly the Premier wanted to co-ordinate a stunt. There was no involvement by the Minister for Sport and Recreation and the Department of Sport and Recreation. This was hatched at the last-minute, designed to hit the Sunday morning newspapers. I believe the honourable member for Port Macquarie was there. I do not know why he was there when the Minister for Sport and Recreation was not.
The Opposition does not oppose a bid to host a future Soccer World Cup. It would like to do everything it can in conjunction with Soccer Australia to enhance the sport of soccer in New South Wales. However, the Opposition believes that all stakeholders must be involved in the bid. Soccer Australia and the Australian Sports Commission must fully support it, and the governments must work together instead of indulging in political grandstanding. This needs to be a unified, bipartisan bid if we are going to enhance Soccer Australia's reputation internationally and lead to the staging of a future World Cup in Australia, with all the benefits that would bring to the country.
Miss BURTON (Kogarah) [4.07 p.m.]: What a contribution by the honourable member for Oxley! I do not think all the little soccer kiddies out there would be very impressed to hear the honourable member for Oxley say that this was just a political stunt. This bloke, the regular nooner, woke up after lunch and missed the boat, so to speak. If he had been awake prior he would have realised that Soccer Australia was not only involved in organising this announcement for the bid but was there on the day, as well as Nick Greiner. The honourable member would not know that, because he was asleep at that time of day. I can inform him that everyone was involved and everyone was there except for the honourable member, because he was snoozing. What a snoozing speech the honourable member made. Of his 10-minute speech, he spent four minutes quoting the Premier's release, and another four minutes quoting the Prime Minister's release. The only thing the honourable member said off his own bat he got wrong. Nick Greiner was at the launch. The honourable member's contribution was an absolute disgrace. It is obvious to me that he was dreaming.
On top of the World Cup, the State Government is investing in soccer in the long term. On the steps of the Opera House, when the plans for the bid were revealed-I know the honourable member does not remember that day very well-the Premier also announced that former Socceroos captain Mr Johnny Warren would chair a Premier's Socceroo task force, to report directly to him on initiatives to further develop elite soccer talent in New South Wales. Johnny Warren, regarded as Australia's Mr Football, has also taken up the position of the Premier's special adviser on soccer development.
Surely no-one is more qualified than Johnny Warren. The honourable member for Oxley would not know that; I hope he knows who Johnny Warren is. A former Australian captain, Johnny played in Australia's only FIFA World Cup appearance to date, in 1974. Joining him on the four-member task force is the Minister for Sport and Recreation, the Executive Chairman and co-founder of Westfield, Mr Frank Lowy, and the Chief Executive Officer of Soccer Australia, Mr Alan Vessey. The task force will examine the current Federal, State and regional sport institute soccer programs. The idea is to build on what is already in place.
[Interruption]
The honourable member for Oxley has no credibility; he is a nooner. He should be quiet and listen to some information so that he does not make a fool of himself when he speaks in the future. Earlier the honourable member was carrying on like a moron. He should listen to someone who knows what they are talking about. The New South Wales Department of Sport and Recreation already provides support for soccer through the Sports Development Program, the Capital Assistance Program and the Regional Sports Facilities Program. We also have sports academies, specialist sports high schools and junior clubs. Make no mistake: These programs are producing results. For instance, Harry Kewell came out of a specialist New South Wales sports school, Westfield High School, which the honourable member for Fairfield also attended.
The job of the task force is to advise the Government on possible initiatives, such as the establishment of an Australian school of soccer excellence and a finishing school for elite young players and coaches; programs for the further development of elite young players; and attracting overseas youth teams to play in Australia. We want to take the advice of experts like Johnny and act on it. Over the past decade Australian youth teams have achieved some fantastic results on the international stage. The list is seemingly endless. In 1999 Australia was runner-up in the FIFA under-17 world championships; it was beaten on penalties by none other than Brazil. Australia also made the quarterfinals in 1991, 1993 and 1995.
At the under-20 championships Australia made the semifinals in 1991 and 1983, and was in the quarterfinals in 1985. Australia also made the semifinals at the under-23 Olympic tournament in Barcelona in 1992. The challenge is to translate these results at a senior level. That is what the task force is about. The most recent FIFA World Cup showed that it is not a pipe dream. The gap between the performance of the Asian teams in our region and that of the traditional powerhouses of Europe and South America is rapidly closing. Just look at our present talent! I commend the motion to the House.
Mr WEBB (Monaro) [4.12 p.m.]: I support the comments made earlier by the honourable member for Oxley. The bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2014 is important for Australia and, indeed, for New South Wales. It is important also for soccer followers and soccer players. The FIFA World Cup is a spectacle watched by millions of people over a month, as we witnessed recently with Korea and Japan jointly hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup. It is bigger than the Olympics. New South Wales satisfactorily held the Olympics in 2000, and it could host the FIFA World Cup some time in the future. However, the Government made an error when it politicised the so-called bid to host a FIFA World Cup in the future. Clear procedures are in place: hosting of the final games is awarded to a nation. First, it is necessary for Soccer Australia to make the bid on behalf of Australia. Then it is necessary for the States and Soccer Australia to work together on how to host what is an amazing spectacle. Hosting the numbers of team players and spectators coming to Australia would require a great deal of co-ordination. Obviously, Oceania deserves to host a FIFA World Cup in the future.
Mr E. T. Page: You want Fiji to host it, do you?
Mr WEBB: Don't kick an own goal, Ernie! Hosting the FIFA World Cup in Australia must be done in a co-ordinated fashion. The process must be depoliticised; it must go through the correct channels so that FIFA and the world have confidence in Australia's bid. It must fit in with the current plans by Africa and South America to host the next few rounds of games. As many people know, the FIFA World Cup is held every four years, and plans for hosting the cup must begin years in advance. No-one is denying the credentials of players, staff, coaches and former coaches, and the administrative capacity of Soccer Australia, to host the games. No-one is denying that Oceania and Australia should host the games, and that we have the capacity to host the FIFA World Cup, as demonstrated by the Olympic Games.
However, the way the bid has been made and the lack of consultation are questionable. Clearly, the Premier shot himself in the foot by making a bid for the World Cup out of turn and without necessarily taking into account the procedures clearly established in a football sport that has more participants than any other football code in the world. Australia's bid has strong support from soccer players, including juniors, and the people across New South Wales and, I guess, the nation. No doubt the Monaro Soccer Club, the Capital City Sons and others in Queanbeyan, and those in Canberra who successfully hosted soccer games during the Olympic Games, have the ability to host games. They would support a concentrated bid in the proper format by Soccer Australia, supported by the Federal and State governments.
The Coalition knows how to bid for large international events, having successfully bid for the Sydney Olympic Games. That needs to be taken into account. As I said, a co-ordinated bid is the only way to get this done. It is the only way that Australia can take its claim to the international soccer federation, FIFA, and ensure that our name goes on the list for a future World Cup, be it in 2014, 2018 or 2022. We need to look ahead. We must recognise that the Coalition's ability to provide a co-ordinated bid in a world context is the reason most interested parties would get involved. They would not go to the media loosely, talking to the wrong people at the wrong time. The Coalition has the ability to bring all those people together. That has been demonstrated by Ian Knop's great leadership and the Coalition's ability to help solve some of the problems Soccer Australia has faced in recent years. Clearly, our team and our country are capable. Let us co-ordinate the approach. [Time expired.]
Mr COLLIER (Miranda) [4.17 p.m.]: I am most pleased to speak in support of this significant motion. It is well accepted that New South Wales is the home of soccer in Australia, and when it comes to soccer in New South Wales the Sutherland shire is in a league of its own. The facts speak for themselves. The Sutherland Shire Junior Soccer Association is the largest junior soccer association in Australia. It has more than 13,000 registered players, male and female, ranging in age from under six to over 35. The shire is also the home of the current national soccer champions, the Olympic Sharks. There is so much interest in soccer in the shire that we have had to find more fields to cater for future local growth in the sport. Now there is even talk of an over-45 men's competition in 2003.
Kids and families I have spoken to in the shire all say the same thing: We want to host the FIFA World Cup in 2014. The Sutherland Shire Junior Soccer Association has thrown its weight behind the bid. The association's president, Mr Jack Bird, is quoted in the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader of 27 August as saying, "Getting the world cup would be the best thing that could happen for soccer in Australia." Jack is right. The shire is 110 per cent behind the New South Wales-led charge for Australia to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup. On 22 August, with the Premier, I launched a local petition calling on the Federal Government to get behind Australia's bid for the 2014 cup. The Premier and I were joined by Mr Jack Bird, as well has three local junior soccer players- Bryce, Justin and Andrew-who were dressed in their club strips.
Bryce Cartwright plays in the 13As for the Sylvania Heights Youth Club. His parents, Janine and Paul, are great supporters of the Heights. They also attended the launch. Bryce's team won the association's award for the most improved team this year and Bryce's dad still plays soccer. Justin McHugh plays soccer in the 12Cs for the Miranda Magpies, one of the foundation clubs of the shire. This year, along with the association, the Magpies celebrate their fiftieth anniversary. Justin's mum and dad, Tracy and Colin McHugh, are great supporters of soccer and attended the launch. Their work is typical of the hard work of the parents and supporters who help to ensure the success of the local soccer clubs in the Sutherland shire.
The third player at the launch was Andrew Hajittofi. Andrew lives next to me at Kareela and plays soccer in the Sydney Youth League. He and his family are strong Olympic Sharks supporters. Rarely a day goes past when I do not see or hear Andrew and his brother Angelo kicking a soccer ball around in the backyard at Kareela. They reluctantly stop practising only when it is too dark to see or when their mum, Lisa, calls them in for dinner. That is typical of kids in the shire: they are mad keen on soccer; they continually practise their skills and cannot wait to get out on the field. It is not only the kids who play the game who are mad keen on soccer in the shire. Plenty of players in their forties and fifties are still going strong. One member of my own team, the Miranda Magpies 35Es, has been playing soccer for 40 consecutive years. There is plenty of talent amongst the parents. I even discovered that Andrew's dad, George, who is now coaching the kids, played professionally for Sydney Olympic in the 1980s.
On 24 August I had the privilege of presenting awards after the 14As grand final at the association's headquarters at Kareela. This sensational match between Lilli Pilli and Gymea United went into extra time. It was full of excitement and drama and it typified the world game that is soccer. Soccer was the winner on the day. Shark Park is also home of the Cronulla Sharks National Rugby League [NRL] team as well as the Olympic Sharks. Recently, after their historic win in Perth, I had the privilege of attending the spontaneous celebrations at the Sharks rugby league club, together with leagues club president, Barry Pierce, and 3,000 fans of all ages. The atmosphere was electric and full of extraordinary enthusiasm-not only for the players and team but for soccer itself. The fans and supporters in the shire are extremely keen to support the petition that has been circulated around a number of grounds.
Sydney hosted the best Olympic Games in history. There is absolutely no reason why we cannot host the best FIFA World Cup in history. Securing the 2014 FIFA World Cup is a goal that all Australians can support and there is no reasons why, with the support of the Federal Government, we cannot kick a great goal for Australia. Like many residents of the shire, I can see the Brazilian World Cup soccer squad kicking a ball around Cronulla beach in 2014 before a big match. Let's get behind this bid!
Mr TRIPODI (Fairfield) [4.22 p.m.], in reply: Government members are disappointed by the response of the Opposition. There has been only silence from the other side of the House. The Opposition cannot say whether John Howard and Canberra will support the bid. At the same time the Opposition knows that the bid will probably be unsuccessful if the Commonwealth does not co-operate with the States. The Opposition's problem was mentioned recently by Helen Coonan: New South Wales is leading the country in relation to public liability insurance reform. It is also leading the country when it comes to the bid for the Soccer World Cup. The Opposition and the conservative parties in this country are upset that they are following the agenda set by this State.
We are serious about this bid; we are serious about securing the Soccer World Cup. It was disappointing to read in the Quirindi Advocate of 14 August, the Singleton Argus of 13 August and the Coonabarabran Times of 15 August that the Leader of the National Party had said that Australia did not qualify to play in the recent Soccer World Cup and is not likely to do so in the near future. What kind of leadership is that? What kind of inspiration is the Opposition providing to young people who want to see Australia play in the Soccer World Cup? Absolutely zero! And we get silence from the Prime Minister in Canberra. Why? Because the conservative parties are concerned more about the politics of the bid than about its success. That is the great shame that the Opposition has to live with.
Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! The honourable member for Oxley and the honourable member for Kogarah will come to order.
Mr TRIPODI: We need to be united as a nation if we are serious about winning this bid. It has been claimed that Soccer Australia is not ready to launch a bid. We have four years to get Soccer Australia ready to do that. Honourable members cannot tell me that an organisation with the combined resources of the Commonwealth and the States behind it is not able to prepare a serious bid in four years. That is a ridiculous claim made by the Opposition. Soccer Australia is perfectly capable of getting its act together and being part of a bid for the Soccer World Cup. This bid is about providing inspiration for young people who love the game. The Premier has shown leadership on this matter, and Soccer Australia is involved. To claim that somehow there was no co-operation from Soccer Australia is wrong. The honourable member for Kogarah pointed that out. Nick Greiner and Ian Knop were at the launch. They wanted to see it happen.
The question is whether the Leader of the National Party wants to see it happen. Does the New South Wales Liberal Party agree with the Leader of the National Party? Is John Howard serious about preparing for this bid? They are the questions we have invited the Opposition to answer, but we have had nothing but absolute silence. We are serious about the bid and we are inviting the Opposition to be part of it. We should forget about the politics of it; there has been too much politics in soccer in this country. We should put in the resources and convince the Prime Minister to follow the leadership of the Premier in this State and get behind the bid.
Motion agreed to.
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