Thursday, 1 August 2024

Ministers statements: Paris Olympics

Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:36): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government has given Victorian athletes the very best chance to excel on the world stage in Paris. Like most of us here in this house, I have been blown away by the sporting achievements I have seen over the last few days, performances like local Grace Brown’s historic gold medal ride. Unlike the Leader of the Opposition, Grace got off to a blistering start and never had to look over her shoulder. And there were performances like Jess Fox’s K1 and C1 show stoppers. Jess showed us what those who were opposite have not been able to do for a decade – that is, making paddling upstream look easy. The build-up to your little crescendo there was not quite what you planned, was it?

Whether you were watching Grace take gold or the unstoppable Aussie women in the pool, these Olympic Games have been irresistible. That is just one of the reasons why our government continues to invest in our elite athletes through the Victorian Institute of Sport, which got a boost in this year’s budget, because these athletes serve as powerful role models – role models for all young kids watching the games around Australia and around the world, who go out and want to swim like Mollie or shoot like Patty.

While our Aussies are going for gold in Paris, we have a few members on this side of the house vying for a spot when the games come to Australia. I know the member for Hastings will be a certainty to be on the podium in ballroom dancing. The member for Frankston will be a shoe-in for gold for good Samaritan acts, and the member for Albert Park would top the table for the most passionate parliamentary contributions. While we are cheering on our athletes going for gold in Paris now, we know that our sustained investment, as the Minister for Community Sport said a moment ago, will also hold us and them in good stead for global competitions going forward.

The SPEAKER: The member for Brighton has the call.

James Newbury: There is just no point. Labor is covering up corruption.

Jacinta Allan: On a point of order, Speaker, can I ask for a point of clarification. I just want to check in terms of who will get the next call and the form of the house, because it is quite unusual. Never I think has the house seen someone lack the courage of their convictions and cut and run from this place so quickly, and the thing is that when you cut and run no-one misses you. No-one misses you if you do not have the courage to stand on the base of your convictions.

The SPEAKER: The member for Brighton did not ask a question or direct a question to anyone, so therefore the member for Melbourne has the call.