Murray McCully

Opposition Spokesman on Auckland Issues

12 March 2000

America's Cup Minister Needed, says McCully

The Prime Minister should appoint a Minister responsible for the America's Cup as soon as possible says Albany MP Murray McCully, who held that responsibility until last November's election.

Mr McCully, National's Spokesman on Auckland Issues, says the nature of the event requires a single contact point in the government.

"The key feature about the America's Cup is that no one party owns all of the key decisions. The Government requires someone to work alongside the large list of parties who have ownership interests, and ensure that issues are resolved and outcomes achieved.

"There is a long list of interested parties. Team New Zealand, the event organiser, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, the Challenger of Record, the Challengers Association, the sponsor of the Challengers Series and the Media Centre, the Auckland Regional Council, Infrastructure Auckland, America's Cup Village Limited (ACVL), Auckland City Council and the other territorial local authorities have key interests.

"In the near future important decisions will need to be made about the retention of facilities for the next regatta, the future of ACVL and a host of other crucial matters. Those decisions will need to be brokered as they were last time, rather than imposed. Logically, that requires a Minister to be appointed to manage that task fairly quickly.

"The National Party continues to strongly support the America's Cup event and will co-operate actively in ensuring the best decisions are made to deliver another successful event in 2002," Mr McCully said.

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