Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services) Share this | Hansard source

[by video link] I thank Senator McGrath for his question. On behalf of all Australians, I extend my congratulations to our 486-strong Olympic team for their outstanding success and achievements over the last 16 days in Tokyo. They have allowed us to cheer on from the sidelines, had us on the edge of our seats and united us as a nation at a time when we have never needed it more.

Australian athletes are responsible for an all-time equal record haul of 17 gold medals, seven silver medals and 22 bronze medals. I pay tribute to all of our athletes and also recognise the absolutely enormous efforts of their coaches, support staff, families and friends who assisted them to get to Tokyo. I also pay tribute to the people of Tokyo and Japan, the Japanese government and TOCOG for organising the games. I pay tribute to the people of Tokyo and Japan for keeping their commitment to the athletes of the world to host what has been without question one of the most extraordinary games ever held.

Hosting the games is now something that Australians can look forward to, with the successful bid in the last couple of weeks for South-East Queensland in 2032. Now we all keenly await the Tokyo Paralympic Games, which begin on 24 August. I know our Paralympics team is equally well-prepared for those games.