Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on indulgence, we have had a great win by the Australian men’s hockey team, the Kookaburras. The Kookaburras won the World Cup in New Delhi on Saturday. Australia beat Germany two to one in the final—remember that Germany beat Australia in the previous World Cup finals in both 2006 and 2002. Australia led one to nil at half-time, with a goal from Edward Ockendon, Germany scored an equaliser before Luke Doerner scored from a penalty corner with nine minutes remaining, and the Netherlands beat England to claim the bronze in the other final.

A legend of Australian hockey, as player and coach, Ric Charlesworth captained the Kookaburras and represented Australia at five Olympics. He coached the Australian women’s Hockeyroos from 1993 to 2000, helping them win the World Cup and gold medals at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics. A talented all-round sportsman, Ric also played first-class cricket for Western Australia. Ric served also as the federal ALP member for Perth from 1983 to 1993. Well done the Kookaburras.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I join with the Prime Minister in congratulating the successful hockey team, and I also join him in congratulating former member of this place Ric Charlesworth.