Berry Calls For V8 Car Race Attendance Figures

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Tourism

Media Statement - 16 July 2001

Labor Shadow Tourism Minister Wayne Berry has called on the Humphries Government to release attendance figures for the V8 car race.

Mr Berry's call follows a month long delay in the issuing of the figures for the June long weekend event.

"With the Bruce Stadium and Impulse airlines fiascos ringing in our ears we are entitled to be curious about the attendance figures for the V8 car race," Mr Berry said.

"With taxpayer funding for the high cost event rocketing from $17 million to $21 million after the first race, the community is entitled to know whether the attendance figures are good enough to sustain the event within budget.

"Already up to $1.4 million in payments to the owners of the event is being hidden behind 'commercial-in-confidence' claims.

"The V8 care race is an event that has many positives for the ACT but, like the Bruce Stadium, the taxpayer is stung each time the costs go up or are hidden. Release of the attendance figures will give a clear picture on how the event is performing.

"Labor endorsed this event after 'hand on heart' promises by the Liberals about the costs and benefits for the Territory. Nobody is more disappointed than we are that the costs have shot up. We feel cheated and angry that the Liberals have learned nothing from the Bruce Stadium fiasco," Mr Berry concluded.