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

Last week I had the pleasure of hosting Brett, Jack and Peri from the Australian speedcubing team at my office to show off their amazing cube-solving skills and to tell me about the Rubik's WCA World Championship in Incheon, in South Korea. Brett and Jack are Bennelong locals, and it's very exciting to know that they'll be showing off their skills and representing Australia on the world stage. They'll join the 54-member-strong Australian team in Incheon, in South Korea. That is the fifth largest representation of all teams. The team currently boasts world record holder Jay and two-time world champion Feliks, who will compete alongside 1,400 of the world's best speedcubers from 62 nations.

You might not know it, but I have been practising my skills. I'm not sure I'm quite ready to join the championship yet; I can barely solve one side without the old 'peeling and sticking' to make sure that the colours match. But there are experts like Peri, who popped into my office the other day and completed the cube literally in seconds right in front of my eyes. It was quite extraordinary to watch. Representing your country abroad is one of the most amazing things to do, so I'd like to use this occasion to wish Brett, Jack, Peri and the entire Australian speedcubing team the best of luck at the world championships. No matter the outcome, you've done Australia proud already. Go and complete those cubes!