Burswood motorsport street circuit not being rebranded, WA government says
It came as the government announced it was opening the community consultation process for the controversial new facility, which has attracted backlash and became the target of attacks from opposing political parties and some residents of the area heading into the state election earlier this year.
Previous government promotions and media releases were largely focused on the motorsport facility.
In a social media post from January 12, Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti shared a promotional poster saying "A re-elected Labor Government will build a Motorsport Street Circuit and Burswood Park", with the opening line of her post also focused on the street circuit before later detailing other facilities included in the proposal.
Those included multi-use event infrastructure, a function centre, and a 20,000 capacity outdoor music amphitheatre all based in the area near Perth's premier sporting and entertainment facility, Perth Stadium.
At the time the government emphasised the facility could potentially be used for V8 Supercars, Formula E and Moto GP events, and it was hoped the circuit could be open in time for the 2027 Supercars season.
Despite its attempts to focus on more widespread community benefits at today's announcement, Ms Saffioti denied that was a reaction to the backlash from earlier this year.
"There were some people who wanted to call it a motorplex. It's not a motorplex, it's not a motorplex at all," Ms Saffioti said.
"It's a sports and entertainment precinct that will help drive activity and create new opportunities to host events into the future.
Ms Saffioti said for most of the year the area would be closed to motor vehicles, creating an area of activity for recreational cyclists and children, while also being able to host music and community events.
She said much of the opposition to the project had been politically motivated, and backed by parties opposed to Labor.
"When people understand the breadth of the project, and the fact this builds on this area being a sporting and entertainment precinct, most residents will understand that this will be a major positive to the community," Ms Saffioti said.
"There were some that wanted to use it as a party political platform during a state and federal election, and I would say that because the flyers that were distributed were party political."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
25 minutes ago
- ABC News
DV leader speaks ahead of royal commission findings
The head of SA's peak domestic violence services body speaks to ABC News Stateline about her hopes for the state's domestic violence royal.
ABC News
25 minutes ago
- ABC News
Spit hoods return to the NT as chief minister sprays critics as 'offender apologists'
The Royal Darwin Show usually makes headlines for its prize-winning pumpkins and scones, not setting the political agenda in the Top End of Australia. But when the show became a crime scene on Saturday night, that's exactly what transpired, after a 15-year-old boy was allegedly stabbed by another 15-year-old boy and left in a serious condition. Cue the Northern Territory government's political rhetoric on social media: It would make "no apologies" for toughening up a "broken system" by changing the Youth Justice Act. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro led the charge by saying she expected the "usual offender apologists to criticise our efforts". "They should look Territorians in the eye and say that kids witnessing senseless violence at a family show is okay," she wrote on social media. The statement laid out the blueprint for the week ahead — you're with us, or you're against us. By the end of the week, the government had rolled out its planned changes, including bringing back spit hoods in youth detention settings and removing the principle of detention as a last resort. Both are measures the royal commission into youth detention in the Northern Territory, sparked by a 2016 Four Corners investigation, explicitly recommended against. On social media and radio text lines, voters commended the government's tough stance. On the other side of the debate, there were condemnations of the changes — from health and justice advocacy groups, not-for-profit organisations and Aboriginal peak bodies — as a "catastrophic step backwards" for young First Nations people. The new chief executive of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, Ben Grimes, warned of a flood of youths into detention before the system was properly bolstered to deal with the influx. "It's sort of like saying you're going to increase a school population by a thousand children, but not hiring any more teachers, building any more rooms or providing any more resources," he said. So-called "offender apologists" were offered limited airtime within parliament house. Ms Finocchiaro told a group of NT paediatricians who had written to her expressing "deep concern" over this week's changes that they were wasting their time. "I will do my job, which is to run the NT, and they can do their job, which is to look after sick children," she said. The chief also sledged Opposition Leader Selena Uibo in parliament, saying while her party did not win the election, "she wins the award for being the biggest gutter trash politician in the chamber". And an all-out "personal" attack on NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage by Prevention of Domestic Violence Minister Robyn Cahill drew the ire of the sector. Eight months after a landmark inquiry into four murdered women, the minister's official response accused the coroner of lacking humility and delivering "uninspiring" recommendations. Alarmed lawyers and advocates returned serve, accusing the minister of "undermining" Judge Armitage's judicial role. Deputy Opposition Leader Chansey Paech also weighed in, saying Territorians expected accountability and action from the Country Liberal Party (CLP) government. "What they're getting from the CLP is blame-shifting, bullying and finger-pointing," he said. "The CLP government has no credible plan to make our communities safer, no strategy to improve the justice system and no willingness to accept responsibility — so instead, they attack the coroner." The NT government won last year's territory election with a massive landslide, and it is continuing to deliver on the tough-on-crime law changes it promised, no matter the concern or criticism. "This Youth Justice Legislation Amendment Bill … is part of our election commitments," Ms Finocchiaro said this week. "It is a part of our plan to continue to reduce crime across the Northern Territory." And, according to Ms Finocchiaro, the changes are something that have won the applause of "tens of thousands of Territorians who agree with us". She may well be right. But ignoring or undermining experts and judicial officials may also come with great risk. Earlier this week, the ABC revealed more than 400 youths had been taken into custody at police watch houses during the first six months of the government's time in power. The laws passed this week will likely see that number climb even higher — but anyone who raises that point is likely to be shot down as an "apologist" by a government hell-bent on pursuing its agenda.
ABC News
25 minutes ago
- ABC News
All eyes on Bass as the final seat in Tasmania's new parliament
Labor's hopes of forming government would be buoyed if it manages to snare an unlikely 11th seat in Tasmania's parliament despite a swing against it. Counting will be finalised in the northern Tasmanian electorate of Bass on Saturday morning, with the race for its seventh seat coming down to Labor and independent George Razay. If a Labor candidate — either former federal MP Geoff Lyons or unionist Jess Greene — wins the party's third seat, Labor will have gained a seat despite a 3.1 per cent drop in its state-wide primary vote. Counting will resume at 8am, with the Tasmanian Electoral Commission hopeful a result will be declared by midday. The Liberal Party had hoped to win a 15th seat, but those aspirations were dashed on Friday afternoon when Liberal MP Simon Wood was excluded from the count in Bass. It leaves the party anchored on 14 seats, the same as before the election, four MPs short of forming a minority government. ABC chief elections analyst Casey Briggs said the contest in Bass had been "one of the most complicated and hard to predict in a long time". "The seat is most likely to end up a race between Labor's Geoff Lyons and independent George Razay," he said. The result in Bass delivered another blow to a party already reeling after independent Braddon MP Craig Garland ruled out supporting the Liberals. Mr Garland said a lack of transparency over the Marinus Link deal had highlighted that Jemery Rockliff had not sufficiently changed his approach following June's successful no-confidence motion. Mr Garland also said he would support a no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff if it was moved by Labor. If Labor won 11 seats, it would only need the support of the Greens and one more crossbencher to pass. That would pave the way for Mr Winter to become premier through a motion of confidence in a minority government led by him. With the Liberals unwilling to work with the Greens, a Labor victory in Bass would mean Mr Rockliff would require the support of all four remaining crossbenchers — independents Kristie Johnston, David O'Byrne and Peter George and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Carlo Di Falco — to remain in government, and avoid frequent speculation about another early election. If Professor Razay or Mr Frydrych won, the Liberals would need the support of four of the five crossbenchers. Ms Johnston said a briefing from Department of Treasury and Finance officials on Monday would be crucial in deciding which party she would endorse to govern in minority, but also didn't rule out supporting another no-confidence motion in the Liberals. Mr O'Byrne, Mr George and Mr Di Falco have all said they need more time, and to know the final make-up of the parliament, before deciding on whether they will support the Liberals, or Labor.
