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NOTES FOR THE PRIME MINISTER OPENING OF THE ARTHUR DIBDIN COMPLEX
BRISBANE CRICKET GROUND 1 DECEMBER 1974
1. Whenever I perform functions of this kind a few
unkind people accuse me of grandstanding. No one can say I
have neglected sport during my visits to Queensland. Only
yesterday I was at the Australian hardcourt tennis championships
in Gympie. Two weeks ago I visited an Australian Rules Club
in Brisbane. This is one of the biggest crowds I have drawn
during my election campaign. Of course it's a completely nonpolitical
occasion. If it was as lively as some of the meetings
I've addressed, your Premier would be declaring a State of
Emergency. 2. I was delighted to accept the invitation from Clem
Jones. He has revealed some unusual talents lately. Last May
I asked him to run for the Federal Parliament but the people
of Brisbane preferred him to play on his home ground. I always
accept the umpire's decision.
3. Unfortunately I don't get to cricket matches as
often as I should. My distinguished predecessor Sir Robert
Menzies was a great lover of the game. I don't know whether he
ever actually played cricket, but he used to watch it at
Lords whenever he went to London, which was quite often.
He had a longer innings in politics than anyone, so perhaps
there is a lesson somewhere. A Prime Minister should either
follow cricket or go overseas. If he does both it is very hard
to get him out.
4. This ground was the scene of a test match that has
come to be known as the greatest game of cricket ever played.
It was the tied test between Australia and the West Indies in
1960. I wish we had such close results in Queensland elections.
At all events, there is not a cricketer or a lover of the game
in the world who has not heard of the Brisbane Cricket Ground.
Such a ground deserves the very best facilities for players and
spectators. You are getting such facilities in this Arthur Dibdin
complex. They will be a lot better than those at many other
leading grounds in Australia, including the S. C. G. where conditions
are still appalling. My Government has done a lot for sport. We are the
first Federal Government to assume a responsibility in this area
and make direct and regular grants to sporting bodies. We
have given more than $ 500,000 in Queensland for sporting projects.
We have at last dragged sport into politics, or politics into
sport, and I am proud that we have.
6. Brisbane City Council is campaigning strongly to make
Brisbane the venue of the 1982 Commonwealth Games. That will be
decided at Monreal in 1976. Brisbane is already planning the
facilities which could allow it to stage the Games. Sites have
been chosen and work has started * on the athletics complex. I am
glad to announce that the Australian Government through the
Department of Tourism and Recreation, will contribute $ 250,000 to
the cost of the running track. That is in addition to the
$ 500,000 we have given.
7. I hav e pleasure in declaring open the Arthur Dibdin
complex at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.