Bligh defends Spence's overseas trip

2:59p.m. 7th August 2008

| By Gabrielle Dunlevy

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has defended sports minister Judy Spence after she spent $50,000 on an unsuccessful overseas mission to secure a motor event.

The Courier-Mail newspaper on Thursday reported that the police and sport minister took the May trip to the US to secure the Gold Coast Indy for the next six years.

Ms Spence returned with the contract unsigned, leaving the event in limbo.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said the state's trade commissioner could have done the same job, saving taxpayers the cost of a ministerial trip.

Ms Bligh said Ms Spence had done her best to make sure the Gold Coast retained the lucrative event.

"Hardly surprising, I think, with a multi-million dollar contract that there is still work to be done to dot the Is and cross the Ts," she told reporters.

"I think it's important that my minister has a personal relationship with the new owners, and that's exactly what she's doing, forging a relationship that will guarantee the Indy."

Ms Spence told reporters the aim of the trip was only to win the event for this year and next year.

"The IRL (Indy Racing League) people have locked it in for this year and they want us to change the dates for the next year," Ms Spence said.

"They want the last race on American shores but it's difficult for us to change the dates for our Indy.

"We are negotiating changing dates."

She said the IRL authorities would visit this year's Gold Coast race, when she hoped to iron out the remaining "sticking points".

"I hope we can really progress this when the Americans come over and talk face to face with us," Ms Spence said.

Ms Bligh denied rumours it was her office that leaked Ms Spence's letter of April, requesting the trip.

"You have to think about common sense," she said.

"I don't see any advantage whatsoever to me or the government or to Judy Spence in such an action."

Ms Spence has indicated she will seek to contest the new seat of Sunnybank after her electorate of Mt Gravatt is abolished under a redistribution.

Ms Bligh said Ms Spence still enjoyed her confidence, and would be installed as the candidate for Sunnybank.

"Absolutely, no doubt whatsoever," she said.

"And I'm not aware, I have to say, of anybody else who's putting their hat in the ring."