Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Friday I attended a civic event in my electorate where the keys to the city of Ipswich were presented to Ipswich State High School to acknowledge the school's historic triple title in rugby league. The school's undefeated side took out the Allan Langer Trophy, the Phil Hall Cup and the national NRL Schoolboy Cup this year and is the best school boys rugby league team in the country. Ipswich is very proud of coach, Josh Bretherton; the coaching staff; captain, Josiah Pahulu and their whole school. We are delighted for their efforts.

Ipswich is a sports-mad city and the demand for sporting infrastructure is very near and dear to my heart. This is why I was pleased to secure tens of millions of dollars in the budget handed down just a couple of days ago. I'm excited to lock in a $20 million federal commitment to upgrade the North Ipswich precinct as the first stage in developing a boutique 12,500 seat stadium to allow the venue to host NRL and A-league matches in the future. It sets up the city for a future with big licences in those areas. I call on the Ipswich City Council to honour its previous $10 million promise for the upgrade. I also call on the state government to kick in money for that project.

There's budget funding for other sporting facilities in Ipswich as well with $2 million to extend the Ipswich basketball stadium, to add an extra court and more parking and administrative facilities; $1 million to upgrade facilities at Ironbark Park to support the Ripley Valley football club, a club that is achieving so much in terms of the participation of girls and women; and $500,000 to finally upgrade the Ipswich hockey fields.

It's not all about sport. I'm thrilled to seek crucial funds in the budget for local community infrastructure. For example, there's $20,000 for a new toy library for multicultural communities in Redbank Plains as well. It's home to a growing Pasifika and African population. There's $3.5 million for a new India House cultural centre in the eastern suburbs of Ipswich, a centre for the Indian community and all of South-East Queensland. This will provide a dedicated hub for community events, programs and services, and a meeting place for various local Indian business communities and associations. The booming Ipswich and Springfield region has a large and growing South Asian population and this investment recognises the value and the needs of this vibrant community.

I'm going to take this opportunity to say happy Diwali to everyone who is celebrating the Festival of Lights. I'm looking forward to attending the Diwali celebrations at the Federation of Indian Communities Queensland tomorrow night in Brisbane in King George Square and the Brisbane BAPS temple on Sunday. Happy Diwali to everyone!