The community had a big win last week in their fight to stop a further takeover of Albert Park Reserve by the Grand Prix. Vigorous and concerted lobbying by a range of community groups forced the Allan Government to withdraw its controversial bill from the Upper House before it was defeated.
But the Government is likely to bring the Bill back for another power play because it may have already committed to an extended lock-out in the highly confidential contract struck with the owners of the Grand Prix franchise.
The Bill seeks to extend the Park lockout from 7 days to 21 days around the event. It also gives the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) the power to hold any kind of event at other times in Albert Park or elsewhere in Victoria.
Outraged by extended lock-out
“Sports Clubs are already thrown off their grounds for up to four months by the Grand Prix,” said Albert Park Sports Clubs Association President Hugo Armstrong.
“But suddenly thousands more are facing a three-week lockout: dog walkers, golfers, sailing and rowing clubs, schools, joggers, nature lovers, environmentalists, and ordinary community members. It’s excessive, and completely unjustified.”
The Government introduced the Bill without any consultation, explanation or evidence, assuming it could force it through the Upper House. But other parties including the Liberals, Greens, Animal Justice Party and Legalise Cannabis Victoria, prompted by community concerns, opted to push back against the bill, especially the extended lockout.
Despite efforts to pressure the minor parties, the Government realised that it didn’t have the numbers and was forced to withdraw the legislation.
“It’s a great win for the community, and a black eye for the Government and AGPC,” according to Hugo.
“We’re very grateful to the opposition and minor parties for recognising that the GP has a profound and growing impact on Australia’s most famous Park and the local community. But we also know it’s only round one, and we need to keep fighting for our Park.
“Only six percent of annual visits to Albert Park are for the Grand Prix. Yet the Labor Government lavishes hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on one four-day event but only gives peanuts to support the other 7.4 million non-GP visits to Albert Park,” he said.
Contract signed before scrutiny in the parliament
Minister Dimopoulos has sought to justify the bill with vague references to public safety. But TWISK understands that the Government’s real motivation may be that the terms of the secret contract with Liberty Media, the US owner of F1 around the world, has already ceded full control of Albert Park for three weeks to extract more money from event sponsors.
“If that’s true, it’s an outrage. Dan Andrews paid a huge price to Liberty Media to extend the GP contract, and we keep finding out about more secret clauses which benefit only those foreign interests at vast expense to Victorian taxpayers.
“The GP would be better elsewhere. If it’s legally bound stay in Albert Park until 2037, the Government must plan, invest, protect and sustain the Park for all users, not just its corporate mates and the GP’s foreign owners,” said Hugo.
A few more laps to go …
TWiSK expects that this political race will do a few more laps before a compromise is reached. This first ‘victory’ shows that community unity can have an influence. With the election only just over a year away, the timing might be right for more attention to the health of the park and the people who use it and love it.
For now, the ‘democratic safety car’ has kept the wheels turning. But in time the political manoeuvrers will recommence. Let’s hope the community are more than pedestrians in the process.
