Monday 7th May 2018
Victoria’s grassroots sports clubs are being forced to borrow money – and pay it back with interest – under the Andrews Labor Government while big business gets a free kick.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said that despite these loans being sold as “interest-free-loans” under a new policy announced by Labor three weeks ago the State Budget revealed that local sports clubs and councils would in fact have to pay interest on loans.
“Daniel Andrews has hit country sport for a sixer” Mr Walsh said.
“Sport in regional communities costs every day families thousands of dollars travelling long distances and financially supporting small clubs to ensure they remain viable” Mr Walsh said.
“Labor’s sweetheart $225 million deal with the AFL to renovate Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium is an insult to the hard working parents in regional communities who commit to providing healthy lifestyles for their children.
“While two thirds of the spending in Daniel Andrew’s city centric government budget goes to the AFL and elite sport our deserving regional kids are missing out.
Mr Walsh said the Liberal Nationals if elected in November would redirect ALL funds available from the Etihad sweetheart deal to community grassroots sport.
“We are the only ones to be trusted with a better deal for regional Victoria.”
