Slade Brockman (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Sport, Senator McKenzie. The 2018 Winter Olympic Games begin tomorrow. Can the minister please update the Senate on the Australian Winter Olympic team travelling to Pyeongchang to participate in the games?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you so much, Senator Brockman, for your question. I am really looking forward to staying up late and watching our athletes in action, as I know everyone in this chamber will be. Australia will be represented by 51 outstanding athletes at the Winter Olympics commencing tomorrow in South Korea. The Australian team are already amongst the best in the world. Australia was fifth on the medal tally at the Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships in Spain last year, claiming five medals. Despite being one of the driest nations, we have great representation at the Winter Olympics. We are a nation of just 27 million people but, when it comes to international sport, we certainly achieve beyond expectations.

Our athletes are supported by the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia and the Australian Sports Commission's annual investment of $5.5 million. Last year, the Sports Commission provided a boost of $845,000 to give our athletes the best shot for these Winter Olympic Games. And what a shot we have! We have emerging athletes competing in their first Olympic Games, such as Jessica Yeaton in cross-country skiing from the great state of WA. Senator Brockman, I know you will be staying up late to watch that event. There is Kailani Craine from Newcastle in figure skating, who I am sure Senator McAllister, Senator O'Neill, Senator Payne and all New South Wales senators, because we know that sport unites, will be barracking on loudly. Reigning world champions Scotty James in the halfpipe and Britt Cox in mogul skiing are strong medal chances, as are our aerial skiers Danielle Scott and Lydia Lassila. Lydia will be competing in her fifth Olympic Games, which is an absolutely amazing achievement.

Making it onto the Winter Olympic Games team is a huge achievement, and every athlete has such a great personal story of their dedication and commitment to get there, not to mention the support of their coaches, communities, support staff, families and friends. I encourage all senators and Australians to watch them on free-to-air TV or to follow them on Twitter and cheer our team on.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Brockman, a supplementary question.

Slade Brockman (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. I hope everyone in the chamber wishes our athletes well. What are the government's plans to assist athletes in the future?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The federal government has a leadership role to promote sport at all levels for Australians of all abilities. We know with respect to the Winter Olympics that over one million people every year visit the snow in Australia. This helps the local economy with jobs and small businesses such as in areas in my home state of Victoria—Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek—where some of our athletes got their start in snow sports.

Acknowledging the important role that participation plays, the government announced last May that it would be developing a sports plan for release in 2018 that covers all levels of sport, from physical activity right up to high performance such as participation in Olympic Games. The government wants to ensure its investment in sport benefits our communities. We know the important role sport plays in social cohesion and improving mental, physical and emotional health. We also know it is a significant economic benefit to our nation.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Brockman, final supplementary question.

Slade Brockman (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What government assistance has been provided to the Australian athletes?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

More than $100 million in grants is directly invested in Australian sports and our athletes each and every year, but we also want to provide a strong integrity environment for our sports, and I know that's been a particular concern around the Winter Olympics internationally. We know there are concerns about integrity, and this government is committed to ensuring we maintain Australia's sports integrity to the highest level. We have asked an independent expert panel, chaired by the Hon. James Wood AO, QC to review Australian sports integrity arrangements, examining antidoping, match fixing and illegal gambling This report is expected to be handed to government for consideration in the next month, but, for all of us here at the last question time before the games start tonight and tomorrow, we wish all of our athletes the absolute best representing their nation on behalf of all of us.