Rod Kemp (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for the Arts and Sport) Share this | Hansard source

As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, the Docklands precinct, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, the Melbourne Sport and Aquatics Centre, the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park and many other world-class sporting venues will help deliver a world-class sporting event. The 18th Commonwealth Games will bring together around 4½ thousand sportsmen and sportswomen from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories. There is no doubt that the international competition will be fierce, but our team is very well prepared. The Australian team will be the largest ever for the Commonwealth Games, with 426 athletes vying for a place on the podium. As many senators and members would know, there has been fierce competition in qualifying for these games and we know that our athletes are looking forward to the chance to compete.

The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games also feature a fully integrated competition for elite athletes with a disability, with 12 gold medals on offer in athletics, swimming, table tennis and weightlifting, all of which will count in the official medal tallies. No doubt all athletes will be hoping for gold, and I am sure that all senators and members wish our sportsmen and sportswomen all the best in their endeavours.

From assisting the volunteers in their roles throughout the games to supporting the Australian Sports Drug Agency in its job of stamping out drug cheats, the Australian government is providing some $290 million towards the running of a very successful games. I know Senator Ray would be very interested in that. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Ron Walker and John Harden, both of whom have worked very hard on these games and very closely with the Bracks Labor government in Victoria to help ensure that the games are a great success, which I am sure they will be.