Stephen Jones (Whitlam, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just want to start by associating all members in this place, particularly Labor MPs, with the wonderful words of the member for Gippsland. Those were heartfelt words, and you could see that in his disposition just now. I thank him for that most genuinely.

I want to use the opportunity this morning to give a shout-out to an amazing local Albion Park girl, Jess Hull. Olympic Games history was made yesterday when she became the first ever Australian woman to medal in the 1,500 metres in an incredible display of determination and speed. She took home silver, finishing in three minutes and 52.56 seconds. She was beaten only by the defending champion, Faith Kipyegon from Kenya, who had to run an Olympic record to take gold. It was the fastest 1,500 metres in Olympic history. Hull's silver medal was the seventh track-and-field medal of the Paris games, and that's the biggest tally in Australia's history since Melbourne in 1956. Jess Hull now joins local greats like Sally Pearson and Cathy Freeman as Australia's only track medallist this century. There's a job of work to be done there.

I'm sure there's no-one more thrilled about Jess's achievements than her family. Hull's dad, Simon, has been her coach from the earliest days, and he and her mum, Michelle, have always believed in their daughter's ability. After the race, Jess shared this wonderful story about Michelle, who'd sent a photo of her earlier that morning from her Little Athletics days. I remember her in her Little Athletics days. She and my daughter used to get around the track at Beaton Park and Albion Park as they made their way through Little A's. Jess was just 12 in the photo. The text from her mum read, 'Do it for this little girl,' and she did. It was absolutely to the thrill of all Australians who were tuned in during the early hours of the morning.

Jess is an inspiration to all of us, but particularly to little girls who are coming through Little A's at the moment or deciding to take up a sport. She's an inspiration. But whether you get to the Olympics or just your regionals, you can do it, and it's good for you. It's good for your health and good for your community. From Albion Park Little A's to the podium of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Jess, you've done your family, your region and all Australians proud. To all of the Aussies who competed in the Olympic Games, medal or no medal, we know how much hard work it took to get there. Well done to you from all of us.