CATHERINE KING MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

SENATOR KATY GALLAGHER
SENATOR FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

ALICIA PAYNE MP
MEMBER FOR CANBERRA

LABOR TO INVEST IN FULL RE-OPENING OF AIS ARENA

An Albanese Labor Government will reopen AIS Arena, partnering with the ACT Government and doing the job properly by providing the full investment needed to get the facility up to scratch and ready to reopen.

For 40 years the AIS Arena has served as Canberra’s premier indoor sporting and concert venue, but the Liberal Government has consistently neglected the facility for the whole time they have been in office.

The Arena has hosted the Cannons, Lady Gaga, P!nk, the Giants, Delta Goodrem, the Wiggles and more community events than you could name.

Those 40 years have taken a toll however with safety and facility upgrades needed before the venue can safely reopen.

With a federal election on the horizon, the Morrison Government finally made a commitment to this project, but the reality is that their commitment won’t be enough to do this facility justice.

That’s why an Albanese Labor Government will work in partnership with the Barr Government to deliver $15 million worth of upgrades to the facility, delivering Canberrans the facilities they deserve for sports, community events and concerts.

This project will not only upgrade fire safety, it will also upgrade seating, lighting, toilets and other facilities, and improve amenity across the precinct.

Only an Albanese Labor Government can be trusted to deliver Canberrans the facilities they deserve.

Attributable to Catherine King:

“The Liberals’ commitment to this project is a fig leaf. They have not committed enough money to get this facility up to scratch and they know it.

“Only an Albanese Labor Government will partner with the ACT Government to deliver the investments the community needs and to reopen AIS Arena.”

Attributable to Senator Katy Gallagher:

“The AIS Arena has been a place that Canberrans associate with fun, whether it be a large concert, watching the Canberra Capitals play at home or a large-scale community event.

“The Liberals have mothballed this Arena and have only made a half-baked commitment to reopen it because they are feeling the pressure in an election campaign.

“I’m proud to be able to commit Labor to do the job properly and ensure this facility is the go-to indoor event space for several years to come.”

Attributable to Alicia Payne MP:

“The AIS Arena is an asset to the nation, and the national capital.

“Labor understands that the arena is not than just a sporting venue, it’s a community hub for people right across the region.

“The Liberals should have stepped up years ago to ensure its future.”

TUESDAY, 10 MAY 2022