Cross-government envoys for Australia’s World Cup bid

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PDF printable version of Cross-government envoys for Australia’s World Cup bid (PDF 22 KB)

13 November 2009

The Minister for Sport Kate Ellis has appointed Geoff Dixon to assist the Commonwealth, States and Territories to put their best foot forward for Australia’s 2018-2022 FIFA World Cup bid.

“I have appointed Mr Dixon to work across stakeholders and help the Football Federation Australia make the best possible bid next month,” Ms Ellis said.

“While the Commonwealth, States and Territories are making good progress, it is a complex process and we want to submit the strongest possible bid to FIFA.”

“We are in it to win it and committed to delivering the best Bidding Agreement next month – the first of several components of the bid.

“Today’s announcement builds on the $45.6 million that the Commonwealth is providing to the FFA to support Australia’s dream to bring the world’s single biggest sporting event to our shores,” Ms Ellis said.

Mr Dixon is a highly respected and experienced businessman with a record of success on large and complex projects.

The former Managing Director and CEO of Qantas, Mr Dixon is also on the Boards of Consolidated Media Holdings, Crown Limited and the Garvan Research Foundation.

Ron Harvey CVO will join Mr Dixon to assist Governments to meet the FIFA requirements and enable the FFA to submit a competitive bid.

Mr Harvey has a long involvement with Australian sport, including football. He is currently the Vice President of the Australian Olympic Committee.

FFA Chairman Frank Lowy says he’s pleased at the appointment of Mr Dixon.

“Putting a bid together for the World Cup requires a unified Federal and State Government effort and this is an important step towards achieving that.

“I look forward to having the assistance of the envoys and seeing the benefits of their work, and the work of all parties, culminate in an excellent bid being made to FIFA from Australia.”

The cross-government envoys will report to the Minister for Sport and will start work immediately.

“It’s important that Australia is in the best possible position to reap the economic, social and sporting rewards of the biggest sporting event on Earth,” Ms Ellis said.

“I’m confident that together we can do that.”

Australia’s Bidding Agreement will be submitted by 11 December. FIFA will announce the host countries for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in December 2010.


For more information, please contact the Minister's office on (02) 6277 7350