Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Hansard source

The Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee inquiry into the Commonwealth and Paralympic Games preparedness was on foot even before the devastating blow to our international sporting reputation by the decision of the Daniel Andrews Labor government in Victoria to cancel the 2026 Commonwealth Games. For some time, the opposition had genuine concerns about the federal and state governments' preparedness for these major sporting events coming up. The main reason we have been concerned is that the importance of the legacy that is left by these events cannot be understated. We want to maximise the opportunity because the opportunity is for all Australians—particularly young Australians. We want to encourage young Australians to participate in community sport and have active lives. We know that elite athletes and their performances, particularly on home turf, make such as a difference to people and young people getting out—as witnessed by the Matildas in the last little while and the huge increase in the number of young girls and boys who have now enrolled to play football.

The decision by the Victorian government was a terrible decision for major events in this country. It was a terrible decision for Australia but it was most particularly a terrible decision for young Australians, whom we want to live active and healthy lifestyles. It was also a complete disaster for our international reputation and it was another example of how Labor can't manage money. Most particularly, we have to call out the disappointment to our athletes, who we know have been working so hard to compete on home soil in 2026 and to use the games for qualifications for future major sporting events so they can continue their upward trajectory in their sporting careers. During the inquiry, we heard a really moving testimony from Ms Catherine Clark, the CEO of Paralympics Australia. I want to bring to the attention of the chamber the particular importance of the 2026 Commonwealth Games that is so fundamental to our Paralympians and para-athletes. Ms Clark said:

Classification is not well understood, and the complexity of it and the cost of it—of sending athletes overseas—is why domestic, national and international standard events are so critical. If we want to have a team that is big enough and that can compete in 2032, we cannot respond later; we must respond now.

She also said:

The inability for us to have our para-athletes in an integrated event in the Commonwealth Games is one less opportunity to have people with a disability on the national and international stage performing. You can't be what you can't see.

That is why I find it absolutely unbelievable that neither the Prime Minister nor the Minister for Sport have stood up for Australian athletes, including our amazing para-athletes, and sought to find, or work with our states and territories to find, an Australian solution to a problem that has been caused by Daniel Andrews in Victoria. In fact, the Prime Minister has probably shown how extraordinarily ignorant he is about the importance of this issue because the only thing I've ever heard him state is something like, 'It's the decision of the Victorian government'. That's absolutely shameful. This is a decision that was made by Victoria and by Daniel Andrews in Victoria that has had a huge impact on Australia, Australians and Australian athletes. This is not just something for Victoria, and the Prime Minister has just demonstrated his absolute refusal to take responsibility for this country by his refusal to accept that this is damaging to Australia's reputation.

The coalition have always understood the importance of things like the Commonwealth games. Competing on home soil has a certain importance, and creating legacy sporting infrastructure is something that is so terribly important. That's why we were proud, while in government, of being able to secure not only the 2026 Commonwealth games but the FIFA World Cup, which has just been such a huge success, the Paralympic and Olympic Games in 2032 and the 2027 Netball World Cup and Rugby World Cup. All were to be held here in Australia. The reason we sought them is because we know there is huge importance in Australian athletes competing at home and the impact that has on young Australians who want to participate and the impact it has on getting young Australians out and active, because we know that is so good for their physical and mental health. It is complete ignorance to suggest that the Australian government shouldn't have anything to do with finding a solution to the mess created by Victoria. The reality is that the Prime Minister has failed our athletes and future generations of Australians who would have been the main beneficiaries of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Finally, I just want to put on the record again my concern at the lack of urgency there seems to be here to find a solution for 2026 games in Australia. It's clear that the federal Labor government has not engaged with Commonwealth Games Australia. We know from questioning witnesses that the Commonwealth Games Australia have not engaged with the minister. They haven't engaged with states and territories. They haven't engaged with anyone. In fact, we understood that there's only been one communication, which has been from the Gold Coast, so one local government area is the sum total of the engagement of the federal government in relation to finding an Australian solution for something that is an Australian problem. This is absolutely outstanding when you consider the incredible damage that the cancellation of the games has on Australia and particularly our relationship with our close friends in the Commonwealth.

We're calling on the federal government, the Albanese Labor government, to get its head out of the sand and take up this opportunity to deliver the Commonwealth Games on Australian soil, honouring our commitment to the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth by getting on with the job. You cannot abrogate responsibility for this. This is an Australian problem. You are the Australian government. Take responsibility for the role that the Australian people elected to you to do and stop trying to pretend that this is not your problem. I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.