Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As you can tell by my scarf, I'm going to use this speech to send our collective well-wishes to the mighty Socceroos. Tomorrow morning, at 6 am local time, they begin their journey at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This World Cup appearance will be special for several reasons but mainly because of the absolute determination of this team and coach Graham Arnold to get there. Much like Paul Keating's win in 1993 and the member for Cook's in 2019, no-one gave the Socceroos a chance. Advancing against Peru—well, you could say it was a win for the true believers. How good is Andrew Redmayne?

What I love about this squad and the beautiful game is that the Australian national team is a true reflection of what modern Australia looks like and what modern Australians aspire to. The history of this national team is a history of the successes of Australian migration and Australian multiculturalism. The squad features players from Bosnian, Croatian, Turkish Cypriot, South African and South Sudanese backgrounds. The team is a melting pot of cultures and they all run out there united, giving their all for Australia.

The Socceroos represent modern Australia. They are a global advertisement for our way of life, and no matter the result tomorrow morning against the French or, in a few days, against Tunisia or Denmark, we are all incredibly proud of them and what they have achieved. Go well, Socceroos. The nation is right behind you.