Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

For those of us who represent regional Australia, the 21st Commonwealth Games is a particularly welcome occasion. This is the first time that the games have been hosted in a regional Australian city. This year, we'll show the world that regional Australia and the regional coast of Queensland, like my electorate of Fisher, in particular, are not simply an unforgettable destination for tourism. We will prove that regional Australia can mount a multibillion-dollar world event; efficiently manage a team of thousands of employees, volunteers, athletes and officials; and provide world-class security for all. As the world's attention turns to regional Australia, we will show them that our regions have fantastic local businesses and innovators, world-class cultural experiences and, most importantly, hundreds of thousands of highly-skilled and highly-motivated people with a great deal to offer any project.

The Sunshine Coast is heavily involved in these Comm Games. Our world-class sports facilities, as well as our relaxing environment and welcoming people, have attracted more than 500 athletes and officials to train during the games' build-up. These include: Australia's rugby sevens and netball teams, England's triathlon group and athletes from the Isle of Man, St Helena and Niue. Wales has chosen to bring its athletes and swimming teams to the Sunshine Coast while Scotland is basing its entire team in our community. The biggest contributions will be made by our people. Twenty-four Sunshine Coast locals are carrying the Queen's Baton, and hundreds of our residents will work as volunteers, including my own daughter Sarah. However, Sunshine Coasters will not just be represented behind the scenes but at the heart of the action in the Australian national team.

The many fantastic swimming clubs in our region are really producing the goods for Australia. The University of the Sunshine Coast Spartans, alone, are sending nine athletes. Taylor and Kaylee McKeown, Jake Packard, Leah Neale and Mikayla Sheridan will be going to the Commonwealth Games while Blake Cochrane, Ellie Cole, Daniel Fox and Logan Powell will be representing Australia in the integrated para-sport program. And you know what, Deputy Speaker? One of the best things about the Commonwealth Games is the integration of the Paralympics with the able-bodied athletes. The Olympic movement can take a huge leaf out of what the Comm Games do, because we've all seen those, what I regard to be, very unfortunate situations where, for the Olympics, we get excited about our able-bodied athletes and then, a week later, the Paralympics start and they just don't get the same attention. When you look at the sheer grit and guts that those Paralympic athletes have taken to get themselves to that level of sport, I think that we, as a sporting-mad community, really drop the ball. I want to congratulate, from the bottom of my heart, the Comm Games team that integrate those two sports together. As the father of a disabled child who dreams of being a Paralympian one day, just to see the integration and how they're all mixed in together and is just a fantastic thing. Those that run the Olympic teams really need to get their act together and follow the lead from the Comm Games.

Kaylee McKeown's performance at the national trials was particularly remarkable. She defeated Australian icon and double-world champion Emily Seebohm to claim her first national title in the 200 backstroke. At 16 she's also the swimming team's youngest member, so congratulations, Kaylee.

The University of the Sunshine Coast will also send two coaches, Chris Mooney and Nathan Doyle; as well as sports scientist Dr Daniella Formosa to be part of the Australian team. Kawana Waters Swimming Club Paralympian finalist Liam Schluter has also been selected and I'm certain will have a great chance for a medal in the S14 200-metre freestyle.

There are plenty of other clubs, like Pelican Waters Swim Club, with Tessa Wallace, who I met the other day and is no relation. Tessa Wallace, good luck. Good luck also to Lucky Patterson. You're all great, and I know that you will do us all proud.

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