Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I join the Prime Minister in congratulating our Commonwealth Games team. The most important news, of course, is that we are 20 medals ahead of England. That's a great accomplishment. I wanted to get it in, just in case it tightens over the next few days. But having 46 gold and a total of 123 medals so far is a great credit not just to the athletes but to the trainers and to their family members—all of those back here and those who have been able to travel—who have sacrificed an enormous amount, including the sacrifice that the parents made during the athletes' childhood in turning up to training regularly. It is a credit to the coaches and to all of those that have provided sponsorship. It is an incredible accomplishment not just personally but for those who love and surround those athletes.

I want to acknowledge the top four Australian individual medal winners being women, the rugby sevens win and the Australian women's cricket, netball and hockey teams, to name a few still in the medal hunt. It shows the strength of women's sport here in Australia.

I want to say thank you very much to all of those who are glued to their TVs, providing encouragement and sending messages. That is incredibly important, because I know that the athletes read those messages and are encouraged by them.

There have been amazing individual performances: Mollie O'Callaghan obviously bursting onto the world stage, and Emma McKeon's beautiful performance, winning her 18th Commonwealth Games medal. These are truly magnificent Australians who make us very proud. Sport is a great unifier and an incredible part of the fabric of Australian society. We celebrate their success to date and what will unfold between now and the closing of the games.

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