James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Sport, Senator Colbeck. Can the minister advise the Senate on the performance of Australia's Olympic team at the recently completed Tokyo Olympics?

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

[by video link] I thank Senator McGrath for his question. On behalf of all Australians, I extend my congratulations to our 486-strong Olympic team for their outstanding success and achievements over the last 16 days in Tokyo. They have allowed us to cheer on from the sidelines, had us on the edge of our seats and united us as a nation at a time when we have never needed it more.

Australian athletes are responsible for an all-time equal record haul of 17 gold medals, seven silver medals and 22 bronze medals. I pay tribute to all of our athletes and also recognise the absolutely enormous efforts of their coaches, support staff, families and friends who assisted them to get to Tokyo. I also pay tribute to the people of Tokyo and Japan, the Japanese government and TOCOG for organising the games. I pay tribute to the people of Tokyo and Japan for keeping their commitment to the athletes of the world to host what has been without question one of the most extraordinary games ever held.

Hosting the games is now something that Australians can look forward to, with the successful bid in the last couple of weeks for South-East Queensland in 2032. Now we all keenly await the Tokyo Paralympic Games, which begin on 24 August. I know our Paralympics team is equally well-prepared for those games.

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

Senator McGrath, a supplementary question?

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What is the significance of Queensland and Australia securing the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics?

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

[by video link] I'm truly proud to say that Australia will host the Olympics for the third time and the Paralympics for the second time, after Brisbane and South-East Queensland secured the 2032 games on 21 July following that historic vote by IOC members in Tokyo. The 2032 bid delegation represented all levels of government. The Premier of Queensland, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane and I provided the final presentation to the IOC membership, along with the Prime Minister, who participated virtually.

It is a fantastic vote of confidence in South-East Queensland and Australia by the IOC and world sport. We have a track record of hosting highly successful major international sporting events, and that record was critical in the bid for 2032. We know what the impact was for Sydney and for Melbourne, and we look forward to the opportunities for Brisbane and Queensland.

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

Senator McGrath, a final supplementary question?

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What benefits will hosting the 2032 games provide to Queensland and to our nation?

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

[by video link] I'm very proud that the Morrison government backed this bid every single step of the way. We did so because we understood that the social and economic benefits for Queensland and the nation are substantial. An assessment by KPMG shows that the 2032 games will deliver a total benefit of $8.1 billion for Queensland and $17.6 billion for the rest of Australia. The considerable focus on sport will help us drive increased levels of participation in sport, improved health outcomes for our population and significant jobs across not only Queensland but also the rest of Australia as we build the infrastructure required to support the hosting of the games in 2032.