Patrick Gorman (Perth, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

It's been a massive few weeks in the Perth electorate. I want to share with members a few things that have been happening and that make me particularly proud to be the federal member for Perth.

Firstly, Perth has been officially selected to host the Gay Games in 2030. This is the first time that this global celebration of sport, culture and inclusion will be held in Australia. I want to congratulate the organisers, who have put together an outstanding and successful bid. I want to say thank you to Pride WA for the work that they have done in putting this bid together. I'm looking forward to seeing the values of participation, inclusion and respect ring loudly through the streets of Perth as our world class city hosts that event.

Secondly, I want to share with this chamber an exciting moment that happened just this weekend. There was a massive milestone for a much-loved community club in my electorate. The Bayswater Bowling & Recreation Club celebrated their 90th anniversary. They were formed just after the Great Depression and just after Western Australia voted to leave the Commonwealth. They have gone from strength to strength to strength. They kept their community together during World War II, and they have become an inclusive and welcoming club in the heart of Bayswater that now boasts more than a thousand members. They embody the community spirit of the community which I represent, and I want to congratulate all of their life members and all of the club committee for the outstanding work that they do in building an inclusive sporting club of which anyone is more than welcome to be a member.

Finally, Monday of this week saw the opening of the East Perth Common Ground project. The common ground model, as many would know, has been a huge success in Brisbane, in Melbourne and around the world. We didn't have one in Perth, but that has now changed thanks to investment from both the Albanese Labor government and the Cook Labor government. It makes sure that this 14-storey complex with 112 self-contained apartments can provide support for the most vulnerable in our society—people who are living on the edge or on the street, or who have been at serious risk of homelessness. It's got 24/7 support services. It brings all of the services that people need to an excellent location in East Perth. It is right where it makes perfect sense and is connected to some of the other good services that are provided to those doing it tough in my electorate. I want to thank all who've made it possible, those who've helped build it. I was there with Minister Clare O'Neil just a few months ago seeing the final bits being poured, and now it's open. It's a tribute to everyone who has built it and, now, everyone who runs it. I'm very pleased that that additional support is now available.

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