Government must be transparent over CSL funds

Tasmanian Labor
  • Community clubs struggling
  • Today’s announcement raises more questions than answers
  • Is this new money or a rebadge?
  • Sports Minister Jane Howlett must explain the delay in distributing the Community Support Levy funding for struggling community clubs.

    Shadow Minster for Sport David O’Byrne said the Government seem to be cynically manipulating money and announcements.

    “These clubs are often the glue that holds communities together and they have suffered greatly under COVID restrictions,” Mr O’Byrne said.

    “Labor has previously called for the money saved by the Government on the AFL sponsorship of Hawthorn to be re-distributed to support community clubs.

    “We welcomed the Government’s acceptance of this position and congratulate them for it.

    “Any support for community clubs is welcome, however today’s announcement raises more questions than answers.

    “Is this new money or simply a re-badging of the Community Support Levy funds which were due to be distributed last year?

    “Tasmanian Labor is very disappointed that the CSL distribution was delayed, a decision taken for no apparent reason.”

    Mr O’Byrne said unless the Government clarifies the status of this money it appears the Minister is cynically delaying support for community sporting clubs and then falsely claiming credit for funds to be distributed.

    “Last year the Racing Minister claimed the Government had funded a funding package to support the racing industry through the shutdown.

    “However, as confirmed in Estimates last year the Government instructed the industry to use its own money to fund the package.

    “Tasmanians deserve transparency when it comes to this funding and the Minister must do all she can to help our struggling community clubs.”

    David O’Byrne MP

    Shadow Minister for Sport

    /Public Release. View in full here.