Speculation on Rally Australia event premature: Fraser

October 29 2006

Speculation on Rally Australia event premature: Fraser

Today’s anticipated announcement that the motorsport event Rally Australia is switching locations to Queensland after staging its final run in Perth is premature, Sport Minister Andrew Fraser said today.

Mr Fraser said the State Government position on Rally Australia had not changed since last year when the Queensland Events Corporation undertook a comprehensive due diligence on the event.

“As was the situation with a number of other States, the Government decided not to submit a tender to the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) for the event to be staged in Queensland,” Mr Fraser said.

“That situation has not changed.

“I understand that a consortium has had discussions with CAMS with a view to headquartering the event in Queensland on a purely private basis.

“Queensland Events has not been provided with the full details of the proposed business model and additionally the proposal requires no direct Government involvement and no Government funding will be involved either now or in the future."

Mr Fraser said he was a great supporter of major events – including motorsports – being staged in Queensland.

“But it is very early days and given this is a purely commercial arrangement, it would be inappropriate to comment further until the specifics of any agreement or confirmed arrangements are made public by those involved."

Media Contact: Chris Taylor 3227 8825 or 0419 710 874