: Well, let’s head back out to the Qantas hanger now. This is the welcome home party at Sydney Airport. Shirvo’s there right now. You’ve had some big names there, Shirvo. Who have you got now? Oh, just throw in the PM.
MATT SHIRVINGTON, HOST: Well, none bigger in Australia than the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. And I’m glad, Matt, that you called it a party. It’s not just a ceremony, it’s not a welcome home ceremony, it’s a welcome home party.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It is, absolutely.
SHIRVINGTON: As a leader of this nation, PM, you are proud of all walks of life and what we do here in Australia. But for these sports stars, how are you feeling?
PRIME MINISTER: I’m just bursting with pride. They’ve brought us joy and excitement over the last fortnight, but also that sense of pride about who we are. Not just the athletes who’ve won medals, the most successful team ever, but the way that they’ve carried themselves, the way that they’ve had that spirit. So, I said before that not everyone walking down the steps of the plane had a medal around their neck, but they’re all worth their weight in gold.
SHIRVINGTON: Yes, absolutely, Well said. What is it about this team that’s the X factor? Because they’re the most successful. No one’s done better at an Olympic Games than this team. Why?
PRIME MINISTER: I think Anna Meares deserves a lot of credit as the Chef de Mission. She clearly is a leader. She’s an athlete herself, of course, a wonderful cyclist. But you could sense that spirit of togetherness that was there. Wherever the Australians were competing, there were others who finished their particular contests, who were there cheering them on. Or even – I said before, too – I mean Lauren Jackson on the side of the Opals game, the bronze medal game, getting so excited, pumped up. She couldn’t have been more excited if she was there scoring the goals herself. And someone, our best basketballer ever, male or female, is Lauren Jackson and just there supporting her teammates. But that spirit, I think, is so important, that spirit of competing, and I think this lot will inspire a new generation. And in the lead up to Brisbane, 2032, it’s going to be awesome.
SHIRVINGTON: Well, that’s the point, isn’t it? And when you look around, we’ve spoken to Cam McEvoy. Matt Glaetzer is over there as well, we’re going to have a chat with him as well. They’ve all got stories behind the stories. Stories that need to be told. And these stories will be told as we progress to 2032. I mean, what can we expect from a home Games?
PRIME MINISTER: Oh, look, excitement in the lead up to it. And then a celebration of all that Australia is. It will be great for Queensland. We now will have had the big three states on the East Coast will have all hosted the Olympic Games. And Brisbane, I think, will be a huge opportunity for us. And at a time where every parent wants to get their kids off devices, out of the lounge rooms, get them onto the sporting tracks.
SHIRVINGTON: On to the skateboards?
PRIME MINISTER: On the skateboards, yes, skateboard, whatever! Some of these sports, I’ve got to say, as someone who, you know, when I was young, which is a long time ago, the skateboard trick you could do was, you know, to stay on it. There wasn’t such a thing as skate parks. Watching these young men and women is just incredible.
SHIRVINGTON: Oh, well, we’re all very equally proud of this team and thanks for joining us this morning and well said up there. And well said in your words of pride too.
PRIME MINISTER: Oh look, it’s just been a great day, but I look forward to the Paralympics as well. They are so inspirational, having overcome adversity and we’ll be proud while they’re on as well.
SHIRVINGTON: Fantastic. PM, thanks for your time.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks, mate.
