Labor MP Leon Bignell goes to Europe hunting for major events to bring back to SA

High-profile Labor backbencher Leon Bignell is on a month-long trip across Europe’s major events, including the Tour de France.

Prominent Labor backbencher Leon Bignell has skipped parliament ahead of a midwinter break for a four-week European trip hunting for major events to lure to South Australia.

The former sports minister will attend the Tour de France, the world’s premier cycling event, and meet with officials from the sport’s governing body, along with those from equestrian, volleyball, hockey and the International Olympic Committee.

En route to Europe, Mr Bignell on Monday met with Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker.

Premier Peter Malinauskas’s office said Mr Bignell was paying for the trip himself and, upon his return, would “seek reimbursement for any expenses incurred that directly relate to his work on behalf of the government during his trip”.

But the Opposition accused Mr Bignell of disrespecting his Mawson voters by jetting to Europe rather than being their voice in parliament.

Mr Malinauskas in June revealed he had asked Mr Bignell to chair a Major Events Attraction Committee advising on deployment of a $40m bidding fund, because he “has a bit of experience in this area and a lot of contacts”.

Speaking from Barcelona, Spain, Mr Bignell told The Advertiser said: “Basically my role is after anyone from either side of government not being in contact with people in Europe for the past two-and-a-half years is to get over here and just have a bunch of meetings.”

Mr Bignell said he would go to Rotterdam in a fortnight for the World Police and Fire Games, which Adelaide hosted in 2007, to meet with organisers. The Dutch city is hosting the biennial athletic event from July 22-31.

“They’re about to open next month expressions of interest to host the 2029 World Police and Fire Games, which brings in 12,000 to 15,000 police officers and firefighters from around the world,” he said.

Declaring he did not want to alert other states to Adelaide’s wishlist, Mr Bignell said he would discuss with Olympic officials the prospect of Adelaide hosting training camps and competitions for the 2032 Brisbane Games, as the city did for the Sydney 2000 Games.

He also said he would discuss hosting international hockey matches with officials at the Women’s World Cup, now being held in Spain and The Netherlands.

Deputy Opposition Leader John Gardner said: “It was a real surprise to discover that Leon Bignell has prioritised travelling around Europe over attending one of the 11 sitting weeks the government has allowed us to have this year.

“Leon Bignell should have waited for the government’s unprecedented eight-week winter break before jetting off to Europe.”