10/08/2015
NEWS STORY
Sports executive John Harnden succeeds Ron Walker as Australian Grand Prix boss.
The former Cricket World Cup and Melbourne Commonwealth Games boss edged out businessman Paul Little for the prestigious role and immediately promised to shake up the event, including considering going along with Bernie Ecclestone's dream to turn it in to a night race.
"To me it's about how we push the boundary and take it to an even new and higher level," he told the Herald Sun. "We need to keep pushing, be bold.
"This is about showcasing Melbourne and everything it has to offer," he added, "but it's also about the fans, and I want to continue to grow and push and develop the fan base.
Harnden said he would "do something a little bit different, to make certain it's fresh".
"I'm not sure whether we are going to go down the night race path, it's been looked at in the past," he said. "But I don't think you can rule anything out and what we need to do is to look at all the options. We need to stay ahead of the pack."
Vowing that the event will remain in Melbourne for "many, many, many more years" he insisted that "minimising the cost to the taxpayer" is his priority.
"It has to be about Melbourne's place on the international stage. It has to be about entertainment," he said.
"John has a history of helping to deliver some of the biggest and best sporting events our state has seen," said Premier Daniel Andrews. "His leadership and expertise will be invaluable.”
One of the first jobs on the agenda is the appointment of new Grand Prix board members and it is understood Paul Little is likely to be one of those recruited.
Former AGP corporation boss Ron Walker described Harnden's appointment as a "wise choice".
"He understands the business," said Walker, according to ABC. "He understands marketing, which is terribly important to the Grand Prix. He understands what the teams are made of and he understands how to run it, so you couldn't get a better person.
"There are very few people in the world who could do this sort of job. He's had such a broad sports experience. He's an excellent sports administrator and I think we're lucky to have him."