Thursday, 19 October 2023
Questions without notice and ministers statements
Ministers statements: equality in sport
Ministers statements: equality in sport
Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:22): Sport matters. It matters for a whole range of reasons – a sense of community, a sense of achievement and a whole range of other benefits that people get when they participate in sport. For all these reasons, that is why –
The SPEAKER: The member for Bulleen is warned.
Steve DIMOPOULOS: sport gives a sense of achievement collectively in the Victorian community and a sense of identity. But before our government and for too long an individual’s identity determined whether they could play or feel comfortable to participate in sport. You cannot live up to your reputation as a sporting capital if you do not invest in the entire community. Because of our government –
The SPEAKER: Member for Bulleen!
Steve DIMOPOULOS: we have gone from 30 to 50 professional teams in Victoria in the last five years, and this is largely in the professional women’s sport space. In that period we have also invested in 230 women’s sporting facilities. Just last week our national women’s cricket team played a one-day international at Junction Oval with the West Indies – and we won. Again in the last week, Melbourne Victory women’s team played to a packed crowd at the home of the Matildas. AFLW teams have played in our amazing facilities right through Victoria, and the Diamonds hosted New Zealand at John Cain Arena the other day for the Constellation Cup. It was a great match, and I was there. You know, I am reminded of some comments made by the coalition, who said that when we backed the Diamonds –
The SPEAKER: The member for Bulleen can leave the chamber for half an hour.
Member for Bulleen withdrew from chamber.
Steve DIMOPOULOS: it was nothing more than a cynical vote-buying exercise. That is what they said. Each investment we have made is an expression of equality, is a monument to our relentless commitment to build for all Victorians, including LGBTI Victorians. That is why we were the first government to support a Pride round in the A-Leagues in February this year – the first government to encourage a whole range of Victorians to get involved, from regional Victoria to women in sport to queer Victorians. 305 of our sporting events under the Significant Sporting Events program have been in regional Victoria. That is our commitment to all Victorians in sport.