Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks once again for that very incisive question from Senator Green. Yes, I can tell you a little bit about the matter that you raised. Grassroots sport investment has been a feature of Australian governments at both federal and state level, and certainly was so under Minister Colbeck, who is probably now very proud about our achievements in Birmingham.

Sporting clubs promote and train junior athletes, who are the future representatives of our country. Those future sports stars rely on the changing rooms, ovals and lighting that sporting grants programs have provided in those sporting clubs that have put their faith in government to provide unbiased funding through a fair system across the board. I'd like to acknowledge our new sports minister, Anika Wells, who took over from me.