Newly minted sports Minister Nic Street needs to prove that he is genuine about encouraging and keeping Tasmanian kids active in sports.
Mr Street, when he took over the Sport Ministry, claimed he was all about grassroots sport.
Now is his opportunity to step and up and prove it by providing a solution for Ice Sports Tasmania after he allowed an opportunity for the Liberal Government to enter a no-cost agreement to keep the iconic Glenorchy Ice Rink open slip through his fingers.
Today, I have been joined by hundreds of kids and their families who have not only shown the growing popularity of ice sports in Tasmania but want action to rectify Mr Street's neglect and lack of recognition of this important sport.
This is a significant opportunity for Mr Street to demonstrate his supposed commitment to grassroots sport and provide an interim solution for Ice Sports Tasmania in the upcoming State Budget. He then needs to work towards a permanent solution so hundreds of families can continue the sport they love.
The Glenorchy Ice Rink - the state's only ice facility – has been sold and will be repurposed after Mr Street neglected an offer to keep it open, with the government citing its own instability due to the on-going chaos after the resignation of the former Premier.
It's Mr Street's job to provide sporting facilities and keep existing facilities open and, importantly, encourage children into sports. It's time for him to act.
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Sport
