Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

This morning in Sydney, a mum and their child handed me a handwritten note, and it goes to what the Minister for Sport has just said and what I and the Leader of the Opposition and other people were privileged to witness today. I think it's worthwhile, given the handwritten note, to read some of it into Hansard today.

'To the honourable Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: hi, my name is Rafferty Stevens, but you can call me Raff. I am 12 years old, and I play wheelchair basketball and tennis. I am ranked No. 43 in the world for tennis, and I am in the state performance program in wheelchair basketball. My wish is to represent Australia in wheelchair basketball at the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games. Thank you for putting money towards Paralympic sport. I promise I will try hard at school and basketball so I reach my goal. Kind regards, Rafferty Stevens.'

So, to Raff and Alesia, your mum, we collectively are very confident that you'll get there in 2032. For those Paralympians who arrived home today, that is the sort of inspiration by which your conduct and your performance have changed lives. It has changed the life of this young man, and it's a great thing.

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