Victoria is extremely disappointed that Dorna Sports has decided to move the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix from Phillip Island, its traditional home for almost 30 years.
Minister Dimopoulos said Victoria has taken every step to keep the event at Phillip Island - including meeting the licence fee set by Dorna, and putting forward a fund to grow future attendance.
However Victoria's offer ruled out Dorna's request to move the event to Albert Park. Victoria was not willing to sell out Phillip Island, we were not willing to impact Albert Park, and we were not willing to compromise the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
It is disappointing that after so many years, Dorna Sports did not recognize what it had in Phillip Island. It is an iconic and much loved circuit, widely recognized as one of the best in the world. It is a stunning setting with a magnificent history.
Phillip Island is a proud tourism economy, we value what it has to offer and will continue to support it.
Victoria is working on securing a new major event for the region and will invest to drive more visitation, supporting local businesses and tourism.
Victoria is the major events capital of Australia - we are the only place on the plant with a Grand Slam, Formula 1 Grand Prix, NFL in season games, the Boxing Day Test and the AFL Grand Final, the race that stops the nation, gigs across the state and world-class major events all year round.
We have strong relationships with a range of licence holders, and will have more to say about how we are supporting Phillip Island soon.
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
"The private foreign owners of the MotoGP demanded we move the event to the city, and we said no."
"We know we could have kept the MotoGP in Victoria if we sold out Philip Island, but we never will."
"Victoria is the major events capital and we wish organisers all the best with their second choice."
