Any other athletes we want on the Government payroll?

Mal Meninga?

Grrrr said :

Oh no, the govt is forking out one year’s APS5 wage on the world’s best female basketballer!!!!

Hope the complainers don’t figure out how much the AIS costs taxpayers.

Far too much in my view, and I love sport. I just don’t think in the overall scheme of what govts need to do with our money, spending as much as they do on sport is a good use of our money.

Re the govt paying for Giteau I’d like to find out more about that – all reports I’ve seen referred to a consortium of local businesses. Please do tell us Mr Stanhope.

Teams like the Capitals, Brumbies and Raiders are commercial ventures, and should stand or fall on their ability to compete both on field and commercially. If they can’t attract sponsorship from commercial sources, I don’t think they should be putting their hand out to govt.

Still for Jon Stanhope, the real payoff for investments in Lauren Jackson, Matt Giteau et al is the potential opportunities for him to take some of the credit if their teams go well, and to be photographed with them basking in the reflected glory from their success.

I’m happy for a percentage of our rates and taxes to go toward art, sculpture, sporting teams, libraries, festivals etc. It’s what makes our city a great place. We still manage to spend heaps on housing, hospitals, roads etc.

Grrrr said :

GardeningGirl said :

I don’t think this reflects well on her, if she chose to go on to bigger and better (and more lucrative) things that’s completely her business and it’s nice to see someone have such success, but changing her mind when enough money is waved under her nose isn’t a good look.

Changing her mind? Not a good look? Whachoo talkin bout Willis?

According to The Crimes, the owner of her Euro club has been murdered and the team’s status is up in the air, so we jumped at the chance to secure her participation at a rather-discounted price.

Just out of interest, will she still be receiving the money shes contracted to earn in Europe (despite the teams problems)? Also, if the Brumbies are able to cough up cash for sponsorships does this mean they can now pay back the ACT taxpayers for the 750k they used to bail themselves out of debt?

“to support the greatest sportswoman that this city has ever produced and I think that Australia has ever produced”

Isn’t she from Albury? And I would have thought Heather McKay could have a good claim on both counts (ok, she’s from Queanbeyan not Canberra, but close enough)

I disagree with Stanhope.

Heather McKay is still the greatest sportswoman this city has ever produced, if you count Queanbeyan as part of this city.

Well.. Now you mention it.. I’ve always missed Rod Marsh. Do you think if we paid his bus fair, he could come here and open a few exhibitions or something? That’d be nice.

Grrrr said :

GardeningGirl said :

I don’t think this reflects well on her, if she chose to go on to bigger and better (and more lucrative) things that’s completely her business and it’s nice to see someone have such success, but changing her mind when enough money is waved under her nose isn’t a good look.

Changing her mind? Not a good look? Whachoo talkin bout Willis?

According to The Crimes, the owner of her Euro club has been murdered and the team’s status is up in the air, so we jumped at the chance to secure her participation at a rather-discounted price.

Okay, I accept it isn’t a change of mind but a change in circumstances. Taxpayer money still shouldn’t come into it.

GardeningGirl said :

I don’t think this reflects well on her, if she chose to go on to bigger and better (and more lucrative) things that’s completely her business and it’s nice to see someone have such success, but changing her mind when enough money is waved under her nose isn’t a good look.

Changing her mind? Not a good look? Whachoo talkin bout Willis?

According to The Crimes, the owner of her Euro club has been murdered and the team’s status is up in the air, so we jumped at the chance to secure her participation at a rather-discounted price.

Oh no, the govt is forking out one year’s APS5 wage on the world’s best female basketballer!!!!

Hope the complainers don’t figure out how much the AIS costs taxpayers.

I saw the title of this thread and thought it was referring to Stanhope.

I don’t think this reflects well on her, if she chose to go on to bigger and better (and more lucrative) things that’s completely her business and it’s nice to see someone have such success, but changing her mind when enough money is waved under her nose isn’t a good look.
As for the government finding the money when it can’t find the money for so many other things, I think it’s disgraceful.

Great news for the Canberra Raiders. I’m sure Don will be on the phone first thing Monday morning to share in the vibrancy.

I didn’t know the Govt is paying part of Giteau’s salary. Maybe people didn’t complain because hardly anyone realised that it was the case. In both cases, I don’t think its a valid use of taxpayers money.

Actually, it is probably more than $50,000 of public funds when you consider that TransACT (partially owned by the ACT Government), the Brumbies (recently bailed out by the ACT Government) and the Raiders (recently given a water tank) kicked in as well.

If she plays the full 11 games and averages about 30 minutes on the court each match, the 28-year-old will earn $666 per minute.

MrPC said :

When’s the next election again?

Why? Do you actually think this will make a difference? The few people outraged enough to change their vote will probably be outweighed by the basketball fans who love the decision.

$50,000 isn’t really that much in the scheme of things. It wouldn’t even pay for 1 public servant to organise a homeless shelter.

And I guess they’re hoping for more people to come out and pay to watch them – like the Victorian Govt paying a few million for Tiger Woods to play in Melbourne.

I find it really off-p!ssing that this money can be found, but not a cent for motor sport.

Ignoring the enthusiasts does not mean the interest will disappear.

No other activity is so ignored by this Gov.

And yet the Motorists Party, disorganised as all get out, still scored about 4 percent at the last election. It could be asked how many womens basketball supporters, among a hundred other groups, would have voted for their specific sport specific party, if on offer.

Probably because they didn’t have to – they are looked after by Sonic and Co.

In summing up, it’s the Constitution, it’s Mabo, it’s justice, it’s law, it’s the vibe and – no, that’s it.

It’s a disgrace that the homeless have to sleep rough and the bus frequencies are so poor yet we have money to spend on propping up athletes! When’s the next election again?

Come to think of it, I was feeling a bit more vibrant this morning…now I know why…