AusLeisure

The Victorian Government has announced plans to spend $80 million more on luring major events to the state.

In an announcement in advance of Tuesday's Victorian state budget, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says in there will be an extra $20 million a year for four years to help attract major events to Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Premier Andrews said the money would ensure that Victorian organisations like the Victorian Major Events Company would be able to bid for the best events.

He explained "Victoria is the major events capital of Australia and our first budget will ensure we stay that way."

The funding statement coincided with the announcement that the biggest names in Australian and New Zealand basketball will face-off in Melbourne in August.

The event, the FIBA Oceania Championships, will be the first international basketball fixtures played at Rod Laver Arena in 15 years.

To be played on 15th August, the match up between the Australian Opals and New Zealand’s Tall Ferns is part of a two-game series in advance of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Commenting on the series, Basketball Australia Chief Executive Anthony Moore stated “the staging of the 2015 FIBA Oceania Championships at Rod Laver Arena signifies the return of big time, first class basketball to Australia.

“The best Australian basketball talent, on one of the greatest sporting stages in the world - an unforgettable night of basketball.”

The second leg of the FIBA Oceania Championships will then be played in New Zealand.

After the four matches, champions are decided on by most games won, or if tied at the completion of the final games, greatest winning margin after overtime.

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