Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 861 standing in my name relating to Mr Peter Norman and the 1968 Olympic Games.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a) recognises the achievements of Peter Norman who won the silver medal in the 200m sprint at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics;

(b) acknowledges his brave action in the cause of racial equality by wearing an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge during the medal ceremony as African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos famously gave the 'black power' salute;

(c) apologises to Peter Norman and his family for the failure to acknowledge his brave act and the failure to invite him as an official guest to the Sydney Olympic Games.

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to thank Andrew Leigh in the lower house for introducing a similar motion, which I think is a really important motion, as it speaks about the Peter Norman story. It is a story has not been told in Australia. In the 1968 Olympics, Peter Norman decided to take a stand. He took a stand in the moment against injustice and racism. He took it despite the consequences that flowed from that. It is a really important Australian story that has not been told. We need to make sure that this is part of the Australian story. I would like to see us go from today, to move beyond simply acknowledging the wrong that has been done, and make something positive of his story. We would like to see an award recognising the achievements and the bravery of Peter Norman for what he has done in the name of sport.

Question agreed to.