Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Services) Share this | Hansard source

On this side, we want Australians to be healthier, happier and more connected, and sport delivers in spades. It makes not only a significant cultural contribution to our society but also, increasingly, an economic contribution: $83 billion worth of benefits—for every $1 invested, we get a $7 return. Importantly, there are 220,000 Australians employed in the sports industry, and that's more than in our mining industry. The flow-on benefits are absolutely undeniable. If you just think economically, the Australian Open summer of tennis in our home state—coming up again—contributed more than $280 million to the economy last year, with the 2017 final watched by over 900 million people around the world, which has a significant impact in flow-on tourism benefits. By backing increased participation and increased performance, our government's increased economic potential of sport is realised. I say get out to the cricket if you can— (Time expired)