Over a few whirlwind months of campaigning, Mr Birrell made promises across the Goulburn Valley, contingent on the Coalition forming government.
One of the projects included $500,000 towards refurbished female change rooms at Stanhope Recreation Reserve.
Mr Birrell said he had been highlighting the condition of rural football and netball facilities, emphasising the importance of sports participation from all genders.
However, with a majority Labor government, the question remains: what will happen to the promises made by Mr Birrell?
Mr Birrell told the Free Press he wouldn’t be able to commit to the funding now, as it was not a Coalition government; however, he said he would strive to secure the funding.
“I committed that if we got into government, we’d do it ... but I can’t control what the Labor Party does in government,” he said.
He said he would be advising the groups behind these projects to put their hands up for funding projects, while speaking to relevant ministers.
These will include Sport Minister Anika Wells and Regional Development Minister Kristy McBain, as announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday, May 12.
“I’ll be strongly advocating whoever becomes the relevant minister to ensure that these projects get consideration and that more money is put in the bucket to fund these facilities for sporting clubs,” Mr Birrell said.
“I’ll be outlining the importance of (the projects) ... Labor has not got a good track record of supporting regional Australia in the same way that Coalition has, but there are funding programs out there, and I’ll be trying to access what funding I can for my community,” he said.
He said the Stanhope change rooms remained a project he would advocate for.
“It’s really critical that everyone feels comfortable coming to a club and being able to get changed and have a shower afterwards,” Mr Birrell said.
“We want young males and females to be attracted to sporting clubs, not turned away.”
16°C