Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We are connected by our deep love of sport and shared values and history. Australia's rugby relations with the Pacific are increasingly important. Australia's presence in the Pacific sporting landscape creates a very successful vehicle for soft power, through sports diplomacy. Australia's Sports Diplomacy 2030 strategy highlights the role that sport plays in building Australia's ties with our neighbours. In 2021 the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Rugby Australia entered the Australian Pacific Rugby Union Partnership, under DFAT's multimillion-dollar PacificAus Sports program. Last year the Australian government, backed by Rugby Australia, was a key player in enabling Fiji's entry into the Southern Hemisphere's premier professional rugby tournament.

Australia is now embarking on a decade at the centre of world sport. Australia will host the men's 2027 Rugby World Cup and the women's 2029 Rugby World Cup. Rugby sevens will also be played at the 2026 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. This once-in-a-generation opportunity will leave a lasting legacy for Australian diplomacy, rugby and PacificAus Sports in the Pacific. That is why rugby is the game they play in heaven.

Terry Young (Longman, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.