Other website sections

»Sports Market Reports

»Sports Jobs

»Tenders

»Directory

»Conferences

A Melbourne MP has added his voice to those calling for the Australian Grand Prix to be axed when the current deal expires in 2015.

Michael Danby told the Victorian parliament: "The grand prix may have been a good deal in 1996, when it cost the Government only $1.7m, but, with falling crowd numbers and taxpayers footing a $50m-a-year bill, the Government should cut its losses and walk away."

Danby, who claimed a straw poll of local residents had come out 10 to one against retaining the race, continued: "Rising costs, dwindling crowds, fed-up local residents, an ambivalent Melbourne mayor – to me, everything points to Melbourne saying 'thanks for the memories' but gracefully declining to renew the contract."

In January, Robert Doyle – the city's mayor – criticised the escalating costs of hosting the grand prix.