Task force set up to aid bid
The Age
Thursday December 24, 2009
KEY elements of Australia's World Cup bid will come under greater government control after a task force was yesterday announced to sort out problems that have dogged Australia's push to host the largest event in world sport.Minister for Sport Kate Ellis released a statement last night announcing the formation of the task force, to be based within her department and staffed by key bureaucrats.While the Government was adamant last night that the decision did not constitute a partial takeover of Australia's bid, it comes after a tumultuous fortnight in which rival codes, led by the AFL, have aired a series of misgivings about the way the bid is being conducted.Australia's case is being prepared by an in-house team from Football Federation Australia, led by FFA chief executive Ben Buckley. The AFL has complained that it and other codes have not been sufficiently consulted about the impact an Australian World Cup would have on their competitions.The bid has also struck trouble finding the 12 FIFA-compliant stadiums needed to host the tournament, as state and federal governments tussle over who will fund the needed stadium upgrades.The new task force will be charged with sorting out stadium issues and negotiating funding deals between the two tiers of government as well as repairing relations between the FFA and other codes."One of the strengths of Australia is the diversity of sports on offer. It's critical that other sports are consulted as we finalise the bid," Ellis said. "The taskforce will assist the FFA to work with all sports to ensure that an Australian World Cup can deliver maximum benefit to sport and the community."The Federal Government has committed $45.6 million to the bid and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been an enthusiastic supporter. The new task force will work with rather than replace the existing bid team.
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