Scott Buchholz (Wright, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) recognises the role that the Australian Parliament House Sports Club, under the stewardship of Andy Turnbull, plays in promoting sport and fostering international relations development and friendship as part of a worldwide movement;

(2) notes the:

(a) Australian Parliament House Sports Club is part of a global network which connects with like-minded democracies and unites the world through sport, such as the cricket team visiting the United Kingdom and the rugby team visiting France this year;

(b) combined health benefits, both physical and mental, that sport supports, especially in the workplace, by encouraging participation in sport for people of all abilities with a view to improving fitness, health and enjoyment; and

(c) professional and bi-partisan manner, in which the Australian Parliament House Sports Club conducts itself; and

(3) acknowledges that sport is a true global unifier and a successful vehicle for diplomacy, through inclusiveness, gender equity and the participation of people of all abilities.

It gives me great pleasure to get to my feet and acknowledge the amazing work conducted not only in this place but on the international scene by a gentlemen who's little known to the Australian public but well known to members and senators in this House. Andy Turnbull, of the Australian Parliamentary Sports Club program, is worthy of acclamation and worthy of the great affirmation and praise that I am about to bestow on him.

Andy is the coordinator of the parliamentary sports program, and we, in this place, know all too well the role that sport plays on the international scene in uniting nations not only in the Commonwealth but also on the global scene, particularly through the examples of Olympic sportsmanship. Sport has the capacity to merge cultures. There's no greater 100-metre race than seeing the Americans, Chinese and Russians all competing, with athletes taking the victorious gold, silver and bronze medals but coming together, united under the platform of sport. Not only does it unite the world; it unites our parliament. The bipartisan environment that exists in this parliament around a number of sports is worthy of note. It doesn't only exist in this House. We also have members of the parliamentary sports program that travel from the different state jurisdictions around this great nation.

We just heard from the previous speaker, the member for Solomon, that rugby is the game played in heaven, and we'll be taking a rugby squad to France to play curtain-raisers for the World Cup. That squad will consist of men and women from state and federal parliaments—both sides of the House and senators. We'll travel to France, and we'll probably tag team with our Australian cricket team, who'll be there a few months before us, playing cricket against an English squad. But I'll get back to the rugby. There are seven squads in the competition: the Australian government; the New Zealand government; the French government, who, of course, will be hosting; a Lions squad, which is the Irish government and the UK House of Commons and Senate; the South African government; the Argentinian government; and the Japanese government.

The relationships that exist in that environment, where you get to meet parliamentarians from around the world from both sides of politics, are nothing short of inspiring. This is not a phenomenon that exists only in Australia, but the parliamentary sports club exists to foster international relationships and develop those friendships as part of a worldwide movement. Members participate in a number of sporting events throughout the year, including cricket, football, golf, rugby, netball, tennis and many other sports.

I also want to acknowledge the amazing work that Andy does with the women in sports program. For the last 10 years, Andy has showcased women in sport. He has brought the Diamonds to the parliament, and, if the women haven't been here, they've been down at the Hyatt, where he has run functions. We've seen the female rowers who brought back gold from the Olympics. He has promoted the Australian female soccer team. He was at the forefront well before it was sexy to be doing that. Andy Turnbull was a pioneer in this place. The other thing it does—and the member for Solomon touched on it—is foster wonderful relationships with our Pacific islanders. I should have always been the Pacific islanders minister because not only do I speak rugby but I'm also their size.

Andy Turnbull, thank you for the amazing work that you do for the parliamentary sports program. May you always have strength in your arm to continue to conduct this well-received initiative, notwithstanding the amount of money that you give to charities around the world. Andy Turnbull, you are worthy of notoriety and affirmation. Keep up the great work.

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