David Crisafulli challenges Labor’s plans to upgrade Bundaberg netball courts

A cake stunt following a controversial 11-minute jet flight has been labelled ‘student politics’ as a furious funding battle begins over netball courts in major disrepair.

Netball courts score either way as LNP, Labor toss around funding figures.

With the state election fast approaching, the LNP has announced a $620,000 upgrade for the Bundaberg Netball Association, just over a week after the Labor Government made the same commitment.
On Monday, September 16, Bundaberg MP Tom Smith alongside club president Matthew Leighton, originally promised $400,000 for upgrades to lighting and accessibility, with the Bundaberg Netball Association contributing $50,000.
Mr Smith followed LNP’s announcement saying “the Miles Labor Government is committed to delivering the works required to upgrade the Bundaberg Netball Association as they and Netball Queensland envisage.”

What we have seen from the LNP is a clear inability to connect with grassroots organisations, which is why they have been brought to the party by my commitment to support junior sport and the development of young people as proud community members.“

In a bid to outdo Labor’s pledge, LNP candidate Bree Watson and party leader David Crisafulli fired back on Wednesday, promising even more funds if elected, with $620,000 to go toward resurfacing the courts on top of the lighting and accessibility improvements.

Ms Watson, a Bundaberg resident, said she was “proud” to support the project.

LNP leader David Crisafulli champions community sports with bold promises for Bundaberg’s netball upgrade.

Mr Leighton, who noted that “the court is at the end of its life,” welcomed both announcements, with the club contributing $50,000 regardless of which promise materialises.

Tom Smith responded to the LNP’s announcement, highlighting that their proposal mirrored his own.

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith during a media conference at the EKKA, Bowen Hills. Picture: Liam Kidston/File

“It’s wonderful to know that the LNP candidate 100 per cent supports the remaining member for Bundaberg, backing all my commitments and policies,” Mr Smith said.

The original Labor commitment, part of the broader Miles Government support for community-based sports, includes programs like the Fair Play voucher, offering $200 to assist families with the cost of youth sports.

Mr Crisafulli took a dig at Mr Miles, comparing their campaign methods, noting that he travelled from Hervey Bay to Bundaberg by bus to make his announcement, while Mr Miles made the same trip by jet earlier in the month to deliver a birthday cake to Mr Smith.

Mr Crisafulli, too, arrived with a cake in hand when he stepped off the bus.
“You wouldn’t believe you can get from Hervey Bay to Bundy in a bus, you don’t need a plane,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Mr Smith criticised the LNP, accusing it of focusing on “student politics” instead of addressing the real issues in Bundaberg, including the need for cost of living support, the construction of a new Paradise Dam and a new Bundaberg hospital.