AIS location debate overshadowing real issue of local and grassroots sporting facilities, ACT Greens say

All Territory representatives agree the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) should stay in the ACT, with opposite sides arguing over whether they should condemn or act in good faith with the Commonwealth in its review of the facility’s location.

But one party pointed out their time would be much better spent focusing on improving local sporting facilities rather than the Federal Government’s funding choices.

Both Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee and Labor backbencher Michael Pettersson moved private members motions in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (October 24) in light of the Federal Government announcing it will hold an independent review into the AIS to “help guide investment”.

Both detailed the benefits of the AIS but had different approaches regarding what their motions called on the government to do.

Ms Lee’s motion condemned the Federal Government for “creating uncertainty for Canberrans and athletes” by even considering moving the AIS out of Canberra.

“As an institution of national significance, the AIS must remain in the ACT, and it is incumbent on all MLAs to affirm their support and tell the Albanese Government that as an Assembly we do not condone any move or discussion to move the AIS from Canberra,” she argued.

“Following the 2022 federal election, Andrew Barr and his colleagues were adamant the ACT would receive a better deal under a federal Labor government. Not only has that not transpired, but it is now considering moving a national institution out of the ACT.”

She said it was disappointing a relocation was even being considered in light of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) rejecting the move and signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the ACT Government to improve the arena.

“The Canberra Liberals do not condone the Albanese government contemplating moving the AIS out of Canberra and all Labor and Greens members should condemn this move that is creating uncertainty for Canberra, our athletes and the nation,” she said.

“It’s hard to see this move by the Albanese-Labor Government as anything other than playing pure politics to appease some twitchy Queensland MPs … than anything other than getting a report that is perhaps a foregone conclusion and has already been reached by the Albanese cabinet.”

On the other hand, Mr Pettersson wanted the government to “positively engage” with the Federal Government to ensure the Commonwealth understood the benefits the AIS brought to both Australian sport and the community.

“I think we need to work with the Federal Government, and attacking them is not going to lead to good outcomes for Canberrans,” he said.

“I think it is incumbent that the ACT has a good working relationship and acts in good faith with the Federal Government as it considers the future of the AIS.”

He felt the review was a good chance to get more investment in the facility and was confident it would find Canberra was the best place to locate the AIS.

The ACT Greens took the chance to argue the Assembly should instead turn its mind to fixing community sporting infrastructure so that every young Canberran who aspired to train at the AIS would have the foundation to make that dream possible.

Sports and Recreation spokesperson Johnathan Davis criticised the government’s sporting facilities management plan as lacking detail and containing “more pictures than text”. He said there weren’t enough facilities to cater for the diverse range of sports Canberrans were interested in pursuing.

He argued the ACT was one of the most expensive jurisdictions in which to play sport and the only one that doesn’t have a voucher program to make it more accessible for low-income families.

“There is little point in us fighting to keep our national elite sporting institutions here in Canberra if we cannot demonstrate to the rest of the country that we are the place where everyone can play sport at any level and that we make that accessible,” Mr Davis said.

“The way that this government demonstrates that it is worth keeping the AIS in the ACT is by investing in the programs and facilities that give every single Canberra kid the hope that one day they can play at the AIS as well.”

Chief Minister Andrew Barr responded to these concerns by pointing to his State of the Territory address, which focused on revitalising the Bruce precinct.

He added the MOU with the Australian Sports Commission could allow for discussions about community access to its sporting facilities.

Mr Barr said a predicted $200 million to upgrade the AIS from a 2018 report would “not touch the sides” given rising costs and that he will continue having discussions with the Federal Government.

“Engaging with the Commonwealth is what’s needed … We have a pathway. We have an MOU. We have a way forward,” he said.

The Commonwealth review is expected to deliver its report before the end of the year.