A Shorten Labor Government will invest $7 million in Cricket Australia towards the creation of a National Cricket Campus, developing tomorrow’s cricketers.

Cricket holds a special place in the heart of all Australians. From the Baggy Green to the Boxing Day Test Match to Bradman, cricket is part of Australia’s sporting fabric.

Labor’s commitment to the National Cricket Campus will see the development of a fully integrated indoor and outdoor complex, dedicated to all levels of Australian cricket.

There are more than one and a half million participants in cricket across 4,000 cricket clubs and school and community programs, demonstrating that cricket is enjoyed at all age groups across all levels.

Labor will invest in Australian cricket’s high-performance headquarters in Brisbane, building on the existing Bupa National Cricket Centre, expanding facilities to deliver the world’s best cricket training and community campus.

This investment from Labor acknowledges increasing demand from participants in one of our favourite sports.

In the last season alone, women and girls accounted for 60 per cent of all new participants – echoing the support and interest driven from the success of the Australian Women’s Cricket Team.

Labor’s investment in the National Cricket Campus will see the development of two key components:

• The redevelopment of the adjacent Allan Border Field into a hub for international women’s cricket, domestic first-class cricket, and outdoor high-performance programs.
• The upgrade of the neighbouring Shaw Road community facility to grow and harness junior participation in community cricket.

Labor’s commitment will see an estimated 300 jobs supported across the life of the project, in addition to substantial economic activity driven by an increase in domestic training camps, national performance programs and international visitation.

Australia has a proud sporting tradition and Labor’s investment will help more Aussies play a sport, no matter their ability or where they live.

After six years of Liberal cuts and chaos, our united Labor team is ready to deliver a fair go for all Australians.