Baillieau promises Red Bull air race bid

The sky's the limit for Victorian Opposition leader Ted Baillieu who says a
coalition government would bid for the Red Bull Air Race and hold it in Geelong.

He says the race, which is held in 18 cities and 14 countries, would enhance
Geelong's reputation as a centre of aviation, create hundreds of jobs and show the
world that there is more to the regional city than its AFL football team.
Mr Baillieu says the air race would draw thousands of Victorian, interstate and
overseas visitors and would be seen by a world-wide television audience of 100
million.
He says the air race would provide a $20 million windfall to the Geelong region and
would cost approximately $4 million to stage.
"A Baillieu coalition government will bid to secure an Australian Red Bull Air Race
as an inaugural event for Geelong, to be held over the south-west corner of Corio
Bay," Mr Baillieu said.
"This world-wide event provides the opportunity to showcase Geelong as the centre of
aviation in Victoria and as an incredible tourist destination."
The Geelong air race would be part of a package of initiatives that the coalition is
proposing for Geelong, including the expansion of Avalon Airport to become a second
international airport.
The Geelong region already hosts the annual Avalon International Airshow which this
year featured the Stealth bomber.