House debates

Tuesday, 24 August 2021

Statements on Indulgence

Tokyo Paralympic Games

3:17 pm

Photo of Scott MorrisonScott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

I'm sure the Leader of the Opposition would join me in wishing the 179 members of the Australian Paralympics team all the very best in Tokyo. We also congratulate, again, the people of Japan, Tokyo in particular, for the great job they did with the Olympic Games and now with the Paralympics. It is a great statement of what we can be achieving at this point of the pandemic.

Can I also particularly congratulate seven-time Paralympian Danni Di Toro, who will be joining dual wheelchair rugby gold medallist Ryley Batt as our flag-bearers tonight. Congratulations to them, and to all of our Paralympians: you go!

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

I join with the Prime Minister in wishing all our Paralympians all the best when they compete in Tokyo. Our Paralympians are indeed inspirational. They're great Australians. In particular, I congratulate Danni Di Toro and Ryley Batt, who will be our flag-bearers in Tokyo this evening.

Australia punches way above our weight in the Paralympics. We are very, very successful as a nation, and I look forward to watching that success. I think they will rate extremely well, as Australians at home need a bit of lifting up in these difficult times, and watching these inspirational Paralympians overcome hardship and difficulties in their life—not ask for anything, just give something back. They'll be giving something back over coming days, and we wish them well. We thank, as well, the Japanese government and the people of Japan for hosting the Paralympics. It is a difficult time for them, but they're continuing to do a fantastic job, I'm sure, as they did with the Olympic Games.