Joanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, there are many members of the House who would like to see that. It is important that this bill be passed today. Labor supports this bill being passed today. I would hope that, if given the opportunity of government, a Labor government into the future would ensure that the legislation required for the Matildas FIFA Women's World Cup soccer, which we are hoping to attract to the country in 2022, and the Netball World Cup, which we are hoping to attract to Australia in 2027, will have the legislation passed in a more timely manner to ensure that images of our great female athletes in this country and around the world are able to be protected under legislation of this kind.

I agree with those opposite that this legislation is necessary. Labor supports this legislation. We want to see this legislation passed in a timely way to allow that 12-month protection before the tournament arrives. We want to ensure that the tournament attracts the kind of investment that it requires. We want to ensure that we get a top-quality event happening in Australia to further enhance our reputation worldwide as being the sporting capital of the world. That reputation is broadening from sport to sport but, most importantly, that reputation is now going around the world and is not just limited to men's sport but includes women's team sports as well, which is also so critical. It is an absolute pleasure to be in the chamber today to hear the word 'sport' being said so regularly by various members in the chamber.

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