Mr KERR (10:58 PM) —Tonight I want to say a few words about a project in my own state of Tasmania which, unfortunately, has not been graced with any favours from this government. The project is a proposal for the construction of an AFL stadium. It has been advanced by a consortium which includes the business community and a union superannuation fund through the C+BUS scheme, so it would have substantial community support and the support of the Tasmanian government. It has been put forward for funding under the Centenary of Federation arrangements. Regrettably, although more than half the $1 billion that has been promised from the Centenary of Federation Fund had been thus far committed, not one dollar other than the amounts that have been allocated per electorate—that is, the $200,000 per federal member—has yet been allocated to Tasmania. That contrasts with other states where every other state has received a very significant benefit.

The cruelest blow was dealt on the weekend when the Prime Minister (Mr Howard) went to the marginal Liberal seat of Robertson and announced that the federal government would be making a $12 million contribution to a multi-purpose stadium—virtually the mirror image of the AFL stadium proposal in Tasmania. It is a cruel blow because New South Wales is actually in the middle of a building boom. It is going to be hosting the Olympics. There are enormous construction projects under way. My own state is the most economically disadvantaged at the present time. There is no building boom under way. In fact, construction workers are languishing for want of work. The failure of the present Prime Minister even to receive a delegation from those putting forward the proposal when he can travel to Robertson and hand out $12 million is a matter of grave regret.

Question resolved in the affirmative.