Doocey Matt: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDoocey Matt: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 12 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1541. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]5.MATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri)to the Minister for Sport and Recreation: What benefits does he expect to be delivered by the Government’s support for the Cricket World Cup?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister for Sport and Recreation):Tonight’s opening ceremony for the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup in North Hagley Park Christchurch is the start of a wonderful 6-week festival of international cricket. The global television audience is over 1 billion with an expected 30000 visitors to New Zealand and 239000 visitor nights. It is expected to inject around $50 million into the New Zealand economy. There will be ongoing benefits for New Zealand through the raised international profile that the tournament brings to this country. Three hundred thousand tickets have been sold for games in New Zealand so be in quick.Matt Doocey: What has been planned for the opening ceremony of the tournament?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: The opening ceremony will be free to attend with live music and several enormous games of backyard cricket. It is going to be great. The ceremony—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am going to ask the Minister to start his answer again. I cannot hear it because of the level of noise from my left.Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: The ceremony will be free to attend with live music and several enormous games of backyard cricket. It is going to be a great ceremony. That ceremony and the opening game will help show the world that Christchurch is open for business and provide Cantabrians with a great opportunity to show their support for the Black Caps and the tournament. Frankly it is time the Labour Party backed this tournament.Hon Trevor Mallard: Is it correct that the shot involving the Prime Minister for the opening ceremony had to be reshot six times because he kept on dropping the ball?Mr SPEAKER: In so far as there may potentially be ministerial responsibility I will ask the Minister.Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: No; as per usual he hit it out of the park. But what I can say is correct is that although Mr Mallard bags the Cricket World Cup he is quite prepared to accept the invitations and even wear the tie.Matt Doocey: What leverage and legacy benefits will be provided by co-hosting the tournament?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: The Government has been focused on a coordinated leverage and legacy programme including helping New Zealand businesses develop international connections and showcasing New Zealand industry culture and expertise to further drive trade and visitation opportunities. There is also an educational programme for primary and intermediate schools called Cricket Smart. The Cricket World Cup is a huge opportunity for all New Zealanders.Clayton Mitchell: Does he believe that Kiwis without Sky TV should get to see all of the Cricket World Cup matches live considering that $5 million of taxpayers’ money has gone into funding the event yet only a selection of games will be available free to air; if not why not?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: I have not had a single email on that issue and I think New Zealanders are just really thrilled that we have got this tournament coming to New Zealand. There are still tickets available and there are going to be key games shown on Prime Television free to air.David Seymour: In view of all this can the Minister think of any sporting tournaments or ceremonies where it is not the role of the Government to fund with taxpayer money?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: I am sure there are some but I am not going to get into it here.