Darren Cheeseman (Corangamite, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Sport and Minister for Youth. Will the minister update the House on the FIFA Congress being held in Sydney this week and the government’s support for world football in Australia?

Kate Ellis (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Youth and Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question. From the outset I take this opportunity, through the parliament, to welcome to Australia the some 650 delegates who have commenced their arrival in Australia for the FIFA Congress. I would also like to note and welcome the almost 2,000 observers and media representatives who will join them. This FIFA world congress is a prestigious and very important gathering which has never before been hosted by Australia and is being held at the Sydney Opera House. It is, in fact, international football’s biggest off-field event and a significant opportunity for us to showcase Australia. Last night I had the opportunity to meet with the President of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, and the FIFA executive committee. I informed President Blatter that the Rudd government is committed to the growth of world football in Australia and I outlined—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I warn the member for Bowman.

Kate Ellis (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Youth and Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

how the federal government recently honoured our election commitment and invested some $32 million into the sport, which was double the amount that had been pledged by the previous government.

Tony Smith (Casey, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Who won the FA Cup?

Kate Ellis (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Youth and Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Our government recognises that world football—soccer to some—has experienced enormous growth rates in participation.

Tony Smith (Casey, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Anthony Smith interjecting

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Casey is warned!

Kate Ellis (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Youth and Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We want to support and further enhance the amazing transformation of the sport in Australia. As a government with a very deep commitment to preventative health, and as a government that is adamant about the need for us to address obesity rates, we note that there has been a 22 per cent increase in registered players in the sport in just the last five years. We also particularly note the rates of young girls who are playing football. The $32 million which we invested in the budget will be spent on a number of projects that will assist Australia’s soccer players, all the way from the grassroots level to the Socceroos. We want to help along the way the new Harry Kewells and Scott McDonalds of the future.

Of course, our government has also indicated our willingness to work with the FFA to back Australia’s bid for the 2018 World Cup. We are also backing the FFA’s attempts to bring the 2009 and 2010 Club World Championships to Australia, and the 2015 Asian Cup. I will attend a number of FIFA and FFA functions this week, and I am pleased also to note that the PM will be addressing the world congress. I note the comments of those opposite and I hope that I can speak on behalf of the whole parliament in saying that we wish our FIFA guests an enjoyable stay this week. We trust that they will be impressed by our capabilities to host large-scale events and we hope that we can continue to host them in a number of capacities into the future.