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

I thank the senator for her question and acknowledge her interest. The Tokyo Paralympics begin tomorrow with the holding of the opening ceremony and run through to 5 September. I don't know about other senators, but I am certainly looking forward to watching these Paralympic Games, just as many Australians watched and enjoyed the Olympics that occurred just recently, and the pride of Australia from a Paralympics perspective will be on show for the world to see.

These Paralympics offer another important opportunity for Australians to unite and celebrate the individual efforts of athletes who've overcome some extraordinary odds. Paralympians, in particular, have done that. Athletes will be representing 163 nations and competing across 22 sports. Just like their Olympic counterparts, this Paralympic team are a source of inspiration to absolutely every one of us. Australia's team in Tokyo will be the largest ever at an overseas Paralympics and the biggest since Sydney in 2000, with 179 athletes. They will compete in 18 sports, including the debut disciplines of para-taekwondo and para-badminton. The team includes soon-to-be seven-time Paralympians Danni Di Toro and Christie Dawes, as well as 84 athletes making their Paralympic Games debut.

The success of our athletes depends very much on the team behind the team, and the Australian Institute of Sport must be commended for its leadership, assisting sports and athletes, particularly in managing the challenges of the pandemic. I say to Paralympics Australia—the president, Jock O'Callaghan; the chief executive officer, Lynne Anderson; and the chef de mission, Kate McLoughlin—thank you for your work in assisting— (Time expired)