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Australian Government support for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth (M2006) Games

What is the Australian Government doing to support the M2006 Games?

  • The Australian Government has announced a total support package of approximately $273 million to support the M2006 Games.

Why is the Australian Government supporting the M2006 Games?

  • This is a new initiative. The Australian Government has announced the funding to ensure a secure, harmonious and successful Commonwealth Games while showcasing Australia's sporting, cultural and business achievements.

Why is the Government providing such a substantial support package?

  • The Australian Government is looking forward to a number of national benefits and lasting legacies from our staging of the Games, including to:
     
    •  help strengthen our bilateral relations with other Commonwealth countries;
    •  promote rural, regional and national tourism objectives;
    •  showcase and celebrate Australia;
    •  leverage long term economic benefits by further developing business opportunities; and
    •  reinforce Australia's standing as a sporting nation.
Who benefits from this change?
  • All Australians will benefit. The Commonwealth Games is more than a sporting spectacle. The M2006 Games will unite us with the Commonwealth community and position Australia as a major participant in the Commonwealth.

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  • Further, the Games will unite all Australians through a shared sense of pride in our country and our place in the world.

What form will Australian Government assistance take?

  • The total support package from the Australian Government will include $139.8 million in new funding, of which $102.9 million is direct financial assistance to the Games, and $132.7 million in services and support is to be provided from existing resources.

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  • Alternatively expressed, there will be a total of $84.8 million in security services and support, a total of $27.1 million in non-security related services and support, and an estimated $55.3 million in direct assistance for M2006 sports over two years through existing Australian Sports Commission programmes. It will also include waiving of visa application costs and tax exemptions worth a total of $2.4 million.

How will the direct financial assistance of $102.9 million be distributed?

  • The direct financial assistance will include support to the following six projects:
    •   Opening and Closing Ceremonies ($40.0 million);
    •   M2006 Volunteer Programme ($18.2 million);
    •   Queen's Baton Relay ($15.0 million);
    •   Elite Athletes with a Disability Programme ($10.0 million);
    •   Airfare Subsidy Scheme for Athletes from Developing Commonwealth Countries ($7.5 million);
    •   M2006 Cultural Program ($6.0 million); and
    •   M2006 Technical Officials Program ($2.9 million).

What Australian Government agencies will receive further funding?

  • A total of $28.3 million in new funding will be granted to the Department of Defence, the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, the Department of Transport and Regional Services, Attorney-General's Department, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation in order to provide a range of security services to ensure a safe and secure environment for the M2006 Games.

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  • On the non-security side, the Australian Customs Service; the Australian Sports Commission; the Australian Sports Drug Agency; the Civil Aviation Safety Authority; the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts; Austrade and Invest Australia will receive an additional $8.6 million in new funding for M2006 Games related initiatives.

What services will Australian Government agencies provide to the M2006 Games?

  • In excess of 20 Australian Government agencies will provide a vast array of security and non-security services in support of the M2006 Games.

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  • Security tasks include services such as: providing Counter terrorist assistance, the provision of intelligence advice and border security measures.

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  • Non-security tasks include services such as: international tourism promotion activities; the establishment of a 'Business Club' to leverage international business outcomes; drug testing; and providing a quarantine information program and inspection service.
 
Document ID: 12641 | Last modified: 6 February 2008, 9:47am