Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

There are a lot of revheads in Australia. In fact, a suburb in my seat of Hasluck is named Brabham, after Sir Jack Brabham, in recognition of his early racing career at the Caversham motor racing circuit. Personally, I ride a motorbike—not so regularly now, but my love for the sport for over 30 years continues. My dad bought me my first bike when I was still a teenager, and, until recently, I loved getting out on a ride with him, exploring the Perth Hills. At 78, Dad has now decided he will try going pillion.

I'm always happy to find time on the weekend to explore dirt trails in the bush. I've competed in a number of local motorsport events, racing on the track and racing trail and enduro. I also like to help when I can and attend professional events, not just as a spectator but, in the past, in my capacity as the president of Motorcycling Australia and as the Oceania president. I was the first Western Australian on that body and also the first female president. With the board, I worked to modernise the organisation, delivering a national approach to safety and risk and ensuring Australia continued to create champions on the international stage. We certainly have more champions than most countries across speedway, motocross, trials, enduro and MotoGP, of course.

Some of these modern-day fighter pilots are household names. We heard earlier about Mick Doohan; then there's Wayne Gardner, Casey Stoner, Jack 'Thriller' Miller, Toby Price, Neil Price and Jason Doyle. There are so many. While the gender ledger is not yet balanced, it can be, as evidenced by pioneers like Dot Robinson and Peggy Hyde, who were the first to race competitively, in both Australia and the US, over 50 years ago. Thanks to organisations like the Australian Women in Motorcycling Commission, with support from international leadership by the FIM, female participation in Australian motorsport is now at a tipping point, with women and girls showing significant interest and a number of competitors showing the way. Contemporaries like Tayla Jones, Jemma Wilson and Jessica Gardiner competed in the international six-day enduro and have won every one of their events since 2013. They are the most successful unchanged team since the event first started back in 1913.

I also want to give a big shout-out to Motorsport Australia's Girls on Track program, which enables girls from eight to 18 to participate in events for free, exposing them to many facets of the sport. I also acknowledge Race Chix, who run their own race school and network to support and increase the participation of women in all aspects of sport. This is not just necessarily behind the wheel or in the saddle but as flag marshals, scrutineers, pit crews, safety officers and coaches—all positions which can lead to really exciting international careers.

Motorsports, including Formula 1, NASCAR, MotoGP and IndyCar, have provided no end of innovation in their enthusiastic pursuit of the chequered flag. From the very first prize offered way back in 1894 for the first car to make it from Paris to Rouen, that innovation has found its way surely into mainstream car and motorbike manufacturing to the benefit of all consumers. These innovations include, of course, fuel efficiency but also better data-recording devices, full-face helmets, fire retardant materials, better tyre development, the disc brake, anti-lock braking, traction control technology, lightweight parts, aerodynamics, kinetic energy recovery systems and even the rear-view mirror. With innovation comes jobs but also environmental benefits. Formula E, the electric car racing world championships, has provided ongoing innovation to the electric car industry for the last 10 years. As Sylvain Filippi, the manager of Envision Virgin Racing, stated in 2021, 'Electric racing is the hardest test on any battery.' Companies like Filippi's have the motivation and expertise to continue to deliver better performance in both recharging and endurance, which translates into greater take-up of EVs in the community and a greater range of applications for EVs, including in heavy transport. Formula 1 has a commitment to net zero by 2030, and the MotoGP have also announced their plans to get sustainable fuel by 2027.

These are formidable challenges and commendable efforts. In order to get there, a great deal of development will need to occur. But, come what may, in 50 years time we will still be participating in this wonderful sport, even if it's electric-vehicle dominated. I hope that, thanks to that technology, I will, like my dad, still be out on my bike then too.

Debate adjourned.

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