Steve Irons (Swan, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to support the motion by the member for Fraser and to add a Western Australian flavour to this particular debate. The member for Blair mentioned hockey. Western Australia has not only punched well above its weight in the economy for a long time but also punched well above its weight in hockey circles.

I was honoured to attend the Australian Paralympic team announcement here in the Great Hall. It was fantastic to hear that Colin Harrison from my electorate of Swan was selected, but I will go into further detail on that later. With just 65 days to go until the opening ceremony for the London Paralympic Games, our talented Olympic and Paralympic sportsmen and sportswomen selected to represent Australia are working hard to prepare for the Olympics and Paralympics.

In my speech I will focus mostly on the Paralympians. Our team of over 160 dedicated athletes will compete in 13 different sports over 11 days. As President of the Australian Paralympic Committee, Greg Hartung, said at today's launch, later this year we will see London host what is expected to be the largest and most competitive Paralympic Games ever. With the London Paralympic Games expected to reach an audience of three billion people, our Australian athletes will well and truly be on the world stage. The Australian Paralympic Committee's vision for the games is 'inspire and excite'. I believe this is very fitting.

As Australians we have always found ourselves inspired by those who push themselves to find success and achieve. Our athletes have done just that and are an inspiration to Australians everywhere. I will be one of the many Australians excitedly watching the games and sharing in our athletes' struggles, joy and achievements over the course of the games. I hope all my colleagues in this place and all other Australians join together to support and cheer on our Australian team. I think the running of the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday night, when the nation watched Black Caviar win, was a warm-up for these two events.

Australia's continued commitment to the Paralympic Games rings true with our Australian values. Our Aussie athletes have overcome significant adversity to achieve their goals, and every one of them has shown immense dedication to their chosen sports for many years. Our Paralympic team comprises athletes competing at an elite level. With their selection, they have demonstrated commitment, dedication and a will to achieve. Our athletes should be commended. It is not only an honour to represent our great country but an enormous honour to bring back medals through individual and team efforts which are a tribute to Australia's continued achievement in the international sporting arena. It is our athletes' high performance in their chosen fields, and not their disabilities, which defines them.

I would also like to acknowledge the incredible team of support staff who will be assisting our athletes. There will be 140 officials, carers and support staff attending the games with our athletes. The high cost of care for some of the athletes makes competing difficult for many athletes. In total, 36 high-care athletes will be competing as Australian Paralympians.

Australia has a rich history of participation in the Paralympic Games. Australia was one of the 23 countries who in 1960 competed in the first recognised Paralympic Games in Rome, Italy. Australia also played host to the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, which were heralded by Dr Robert Steadwood, then President of the IPC, as the best games ever. A total of 3,843 athletes from 125 different countries competed in the Sydney games, with the Australian team claiming the top spot with an astounding 149 medals.

I again acknowledge Colin Harrison, of Victoria Park in my electorate of Swan, who has been selected as part of Australia's Paralympic sailing team to compete at the 2012 games. It is a fabulous achievement, and I have every faith that Colin will do the Swan electorate, the state of WA and our country proud. I would also like to acknowledge the four other incredibly talented Western Australian athletes selected to represent Australia in the London 2012 Paralympics. Nigel Barley, Darren Gardiner, Madison de Rozario and Brad Scott will also be part of the Australian team. It is a great honour to represent their country and I, along with many other Australians, will be cheering for them.

All Britain should take note, particularly after the loss this morning to Italy. I wish all success to our Olympians and Paralympians.

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