Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senators Farrell and Moore, I move:

That the Senate:

(a) notes that it is 50 years since one of Australia's greatest athletes, Mr Peter Norman, won silver in the 200 metres at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, in a time of 20 seconds, which remains the Australian and Oceania record;

(b) acknowledges the courageous stand Mr Norman took when he borrowed an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge, and stood on the podium alongside gold medallist Mr Tommie Smith and bronze medallist Mr John Carlos, in support of their famous stand for racial equality; and

(c) notes that in 2012, the House of Representatives unanimously carried a motion moved by the Member for Fraser, Mr Leigh, that saw the national Parliament apologise posthumously to Mr Norman for the way he was treated upon his return, and the failure to fully recognise inspiring action.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Fifty years ago, Australian Peter Norman won silver in the 200 metres at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. In the half-century since, no Australian has run faster. His time of 20.06 seconds is still our national record. At the medal ceremony, African American runners Tommie Smith, gold, and John Carlos, bronze, told Norman they planned to bow their heads and put their fists in the air in support of human rights. He stood with them in a moment that was to become iconic in the human rights movement and in sporting history. Peter Norman died in 2006. Today his actions symbolise the opportunities we have for a Peter Norman moment in our lives and still set a great example to those of us who can take a stand against racism and inequality.

Question agreed to.