Peta Murphy (Dunkley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When women play sport we are tough, strong, daring, determined, graceful, athletic, skilled, tactical and leaders. When Australian women play sport on the world stage we are winners. Last week the Australian women's cricket team, ranked No. 1 in the world, retained the Ashes. Last night the Matildas gave a masterclass in soccer resilience, teamwork, skills and tactics to progress to round 16 of the World Cup. Today in England the Diamonds are undoubtedly going to continue their undefeated run at the Netball World Cup.

These victories are nothing new for Australian sportswomen. They have dominated courts, pools, pitches, gymnasiums, tracks, ovals and diamonds for all the time that Australia has played sport. But we haven't always received the attention, funding and support that female athletes deserve. We can feel that changing, but there is much more to do. We need equal pay and support for women to be coaches, managers, umpires, referees, CEOs, chairs and presidents not only of their own clubs but of their sons' and husbands' clubs as well. We need women's sport to be on free-to-air TV to inspire boys, girls, men and women alike. But, for today, let's celebrate what we have achieved and what our soccer and netball legends are about to achieve, making us all proud on the world stage.