V8 Car Race Blowout

$1.5 Million Extra Next Year

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Tourism

Media Statement - 1 December 2000

Labor Shadow Tourism Minister Wayne Berry has slammed the blowout in the cost of the V8 Car race following the revelation to an Assembly Committee today that it will cost an extra $1.5 million next year.

The Minister for Tourism, Kate Carnell, under questioning from Mr Berry, announced the extra costs during the inquiry into the Canberra Tourism and Event Corporation 's Annual Report. The Assembly Committee heard that the extra costs will go largely to road widening and resurfacing.

"The Assembly approved a $7million appropriation for the first year of a 5 year program of events with $2.5 million each year after. Well the second year has jumped by a massive 60% and who knows what will happen after that with Kate Carnell's record," Mr Berry said.

"It is plain to see that the disgraced former Chief Minister hasn't lost her touch.

"As if it wasn't enough to suffer the Futsal Slab, the 'Feel the Power' campaign, the Floriade fee and Kate Carnell's swan song, the Bruce Stadium, we now have another blowout on our hands which the people of Canberra will be paying for long after Mrs Carnell has gone.

"Just this week Kate Carnell was boasting about the V8 car race as a success story for the ACT but, as usual, closer scrutiny turns up the real truth. But with her usual arrogance the former Chief Minister tells the Assembly can take it or leave it. We can either pay up the $1.5million or there will be no race.

"The V8 car race extra appropriation was sprung on the Assembly at the 11th hour with all of the confident predictions we have become so used to. And now we have to face the aftermath as the wheels come off," Mr Berry concluded.