Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

on indulgence—Today Australians right across this great sport-loving nation of ours will be mourning the passing of one of our best loved commentators. Dennis Cometti was a proud son of Western Australia, who played for West Perth in the WAFL. Yet he is much better known by being the voice, or one of the voices, of Australian sport. For five decades, he broadcast footy, three Olympics and virtually every other sport on TV and radio. We were very familiar with that velvet voice of his. He was elevated for us by having an eagle eye, a brilliant insight and a distinctive humour, which was the product of both meticulous preparation and spontaneous genius.

No tribute would be complete without giving a few quotes—not just the iconic 'centimetre perfect' or 'like a cork in the ocean' but those brilliant, offbeat observations that he made. He said:

The Magpies ought to be kicking themselves right now. But with their luck, they'd probably miss.

He said:

Barlow to Bateman … the Hawks are attacking alphabetically.

And he said:

Liberatore went into that last pack optimistically and came out misty optically.

He described the then young Melbourne Demons player, now Richmond Tigers coach, Adam Yze as a 'lousy Scrabble hand' but a 'very good young player'. He had a particular focus on people's names. He said at one stage:

There's Anthony Koutoufides, more vowels than possessions today.

Dennis inspired countless imitators, but he remained the best. A true original, he had a brilliant partnership and true friendship with the legendary Bruce McAvaney, and this was because Dennis's sense of humour was matched by a powerful sense of occasion, an ability to recognise the defining moment and rise to it. Dennis Cometti will be sadly missed by his family, by his loved ones, by so many colleagues who learned so much from his generosity and skill, but also, importantly, by Australians who've never met him but who loved him and enjoyed his contribution. He'll live forever in some of the happiest sporting memories of Australians everywhere. May he rest in peace.

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

on indulgence—I rise to join the Prime Minister in honouring the life of Dennis Cometti. Dennis Cometti didn't just have a voice that resonated; he had a voice that was instantly recognisable, a voice that energised AFL games and energised the Olympics. Through his voice, we felt the anticipation of a centre bounce, the exhilaration of a soaring mark, the elation of a spectacular goal that was—as we heard from the Prime Minister—so often 'centimetre perfect', one of his many quotes that were so well known.

As someone who comes from a state where there's a little less AFL, the one I remember best was Kieren Perkins's absolutely extraordinary triumph in the 1,500-metre freestyle final back in the 1996 Olympics 30 years ago. He served, for decades, the great game of Australian rules football. He was more than a commentator; he was an AFL storyteller. In many ways his voice became an embodiment of the crowd's sentiments. On behalf of many Australians who grew up listening to him call the game, I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends and to the wider football and sporting community. May he rest in peace.