Labor’s cash up in lights

Deputy Leader of the Labor Party Tanya Pilbersek, Federal Labor candidate for La Trobe Simon Curtis and AFL South East General Manager Jeremy Bourke. Picture: ALANA MITCHELSON

By ALANA MITCHELSON

DEPUTY Leader of the Labor Party Tanya Plibersek visited Officer Recreation Reserve to announce a federal commitment of $500,000 to the South East Football Netball Club on Wednesday.
Under a Shorten Government, the funding would assist the league in improving ground lighting and installing electronic scoreboards at its sporting clubs and recreation reserves, including Officer Football Club, Berwick Football Club and Beaconsfield Football Club.
Labor federal candidate for La Trobe Simon Curtis said the project would deliver a significant boost to local community sport in the La Trobe electorate, enabling teams to make better use of community facilities.
“Funding for this project is long overdue. This funding will ensure that the infrastructure deficit between the local clubs is narrowed and that all clubs can compete on a level playing field,” Mr Curtis said.
“It gives the league more autonomy to spread the money across their facilities rather than relying on council funding.
“It’s crucial that we support local sporting clubs and the great work that they do in this community.”
Ms Plibersek said that assisting local sport clubs was “crucial” in supporting Cardinia’s youth.
“These clubs play an important role in helping young people engage with their local community,” she said.
“While councils help fund local projects for these clubs, often it’s the little things that are missed.”
AFL South East General Manager Jeremy Bourke said electronic scoreboards would save about 60 hours of volunteer time and that the commitment would also relieve the strain on the league’s fund-raising efforts.