PM Transcripts

NOTES FOR THE PRIME MINISTER
FOR AUSTRALIAN HARDCOURT TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
AT GYMPIE
NOVEMBER 1974
1. THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN MANY INITIATIVES IN TOURISM
AND RECREATION TO WIDEN AUSTRALIANS' LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES.
IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS 120 GRANTS TOTALLING $ 4 MILLION
HAVE BEEN MADE TO SPORTING AND RECREATION PROJECTS IN ALL
STATES. QUEENSLAND CITIES AND TOWNS HAVE RECEIVED
$ 536,200. HERE IN GYMPIE WE ARE SPENDING $ 23,000 ON A
SPORTS RESERVE,
2. TENNIS HAS HAD A REMARKABLE RESURGENCE OF POPULARITY IN
RECENT YEARS. THIS IS LARGELY DUE TO SKILLED PROMOTION
AND THE GREAT FREQUENCY OF OPEN TOURNAMENTS IN WHICH THE
WORLD'I S BEST PLAYERS COMPETE. OLD-FASHIONED DISTINCTIONS
BETWEEN AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS HAVE BEEN
REMOVED, MAKING THE GAME MORE EXCITING, MORE COMPETITIVE
AND MORE SPECTACULAR,
3. AUSTRALIA HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE WORLD'S TOP TENNIS
NATIONS. WE WANT OUR YOUNGER PLAYERS TO DEVELOP THEIR
SKILLS AND ENJOY THE GAME IN THE BEST POSSIBLE CONDITIONS.
BY GIVING PEOPLE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPORT WE HOPE TO
ENCOURAGE HIGHER STANDARDS OF PLAY AND BUILD A HEALTHIER
NATION.