Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

On indulgence, I certainly join with the Leader of the Opposition, who has already spoken and may have a little more to add in a moment, to celebrate the extraordinary victory of the Diamonds over the weekend.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

It is often said that women's sport does not get the attention that it deserves. I have to say that in the Abbott household it certainly does get plenty of attention. My wife and daughters are netball tragics and, as is well known, I am a netball dad. Lately, there have been very few Abbott family discussions that have not involved the Diamonds and their prospects in the World Cup, which just concluded so magnificently for the Diamonds and for Australia in Sydney yesterday.

This is our 11th Netball World Cup win. Along with every member of this House, I am sure, I congratulate the Diamonds, magnificently led by Laura Geitz. As the Leader of the Opposition has just pointed out, Julie Corletto played through the game with a broken foot—an extraordinary exercise of courage, endurance, commitment, professionalism and strength. On behalf of our country, we congratulate the Diamonds.

I have to say that there have been a few disappointments in sport for us as a nation over the last few days, but the women have done us proud. As always, we can trust the women to do us proud in sport, as in so many other areas. I can inform the House that there will be a parliamentary reception for the Diamonds in this building on Thursday, as is appropriate for an Australian team that has won a World Cup.

Lest anyone think that I am neglecting male sport, I should also acknowledge Jason Day's great triumph in the US PGA Championship. Well done, Australian sport—but, particularly, well done, the Diamonds.

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