Ms THEOPHANOUS (Northcote): The Greens-dominated Darebin council in my electorate of Northcote is destroying local sport. At John Cain Memorial Park (JCMP) in Thornbury the State Lawn Bowls Centre was built ahead of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. As Victoria contemplates hosting the 2026 games, these once-celebrated elite facilities owned by the council sit degraded and dishevelled. In 2020 I spoke about the demise of the Darebin City Bowls Club, muscled into oblivion by the Darebin council. The club has disintegrated, its members scattered and bonds broken—over 50 years of club history lost. In 2026 Victoria may again host the Commonwealth Games, bringing with it global prestige, excitement, tourism and jobs. Sadly, John Cain park will not be part of it, nor will its soccer fields be part of the women’s world cup in 2023—another opportunity lost.

The Greens are no friends of local sport or the unique community bonds it creates. Across the inner north they have been on a mission to dismantle clubs and repurpose sports facilities, culminating in the Victorian Greens leadership plotting with Greens councillors to close down the Northcote golf course. In the Greens arsenal is hiking up ground fees, litigation against clubs, callously withdrawing funding and removing sports infrastructure. Many times I have called on Darebin council to see the value of sport in our suburbs and the potential of JCMP as a world-class ground for international and local clubs alike. The dream of revitalising the park was the last thing John Cain Jr spoke to me about before he passed away. Locals are angry.