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

Deputy Speaker Claydon, congratulations on your elevation. Australians have offered a remarkable show of force at this week's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and the number, and the buzz of national pride, rings right across my electorate. Australia has won 46 gold medals, 38 silver medals, 39 bronze medals—123 medals in total. It is a remarkable feat, and we're not done yet.

As many of you know, my daughter is a competitive swimmer, so I've been keeping a close eye on the Australian Dolphins, a few of whom are Sunshine Coast locals. I particularly want to highlight our para-swimming team, from the record-breaking Katja Dedekind to the likes of Braedan Jason, Ruby Storm, Liam Schluter, Blake Cochrane and many more. Our para-athletes are also dominating the court, especially our wheelchair basketballers—athletes like Hannah Dodd, Lachlin Dalton, Georgia Inglis, Jake Cavanagh, Luke Pople, Amber Merritt, Ella Sabljak and Kurt Thomson. They should be very proud of their achievements this week. My electorate is home to a number of phenomenal athletes, and the Suncoast Spinners wheelchair basketball team has an iconic status in our local sporting community.

Just before I finish, I want to congratulate the Commonwealth Games for the inclusive way that they include para-sports with able-bodied sports. It's the best way to do it, and I'd encourage the Olympic Games to do exactly the same.

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