Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 27 September I was pleased to attend the New South Wales Police's international beach soccer tournament on Coogee Beach in the Kingsford Smith electorate. Hosted by the Eastern Beaches local area command, the tournament saw students from Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Malaysia, South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, India, Africa, Europe and the Middle East who are studying at schools, TAFEs, English-language colleges and universities in New South Wales take on the police in a celebration of multiculturalism and the world game.

The event, which also featured a number of cultural and police displays, as well as a selection of international food stalls and live entertainment, was a terrific way for the police to engage with international students and to make them feel welcome in the community while building greater trust in law enforcement. Now in its third year, the tournament has grown in popularity to include more than 37 countries. It is one of the largest beach soccer tournaments in the country. It is also a positive and fun way to break down barriers and celebrate Australian multiculturalism.

I wish to thank and congratulate the police and the staff of the Eastern Beaches local area command—particularly our wonderful local area commander, Detective Superintendent Gavin Dengate, who put in place a number of important social engagement policies and programs. It was wonderful to be able to join the police and members of our community on the day for this great celebration of multiculturalism. I congratulate Chile on taking out the final.