Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister
The flight from Brisbane to Perth is 330 minutes long. Like many travelling parents, my wife Jess and I counted every single one when travelling with two-year-old Ruby and five-year-old Leo.
But being able to spend time with family in Brisbane this summer was something we were so delighted to do once again. Brisbane is Jess’ hometown and for me as a Western Australian, it has always felt like a second home.
Family and friends in the sunshine state told us time and time again that Brisbane is hosting the Olympics and Paralympics in 2032, just in case that news hadn’t made it to Perth.
My response was always the same. This is not just going to be huge for Queensland. It is a coming of age for Australia.
I represent Perth in the Federal Parliament. Perth is Australia’s west coast capital. Already when I visit sporting clubs in my electorate it is clear that Olympic and Paralympic fever has crossed the Nullarbor. Children in the suburbs of Perth are already dreaming of winning gold on Australian soil.
Somewhere in the primary school music classes of Fremantle there is a child dreaming of being the next Nikki Webster.
That is why in Western Australia we don’t talk about the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics in 2032, we talk about the Australian Olympics and Paralympics in 2032.
Queenslanders must recognise just how important your events are for every Australian. You are not just hosting an international sporting moment, but you are hosting a moment that truly brings a country together.
The Sydney 2000 Olympics was a proud moment for Australia. I remember watching the opening ceremony on television along with more than six million Australians in one of the highest rating events of the year.
Cathy Freeman lighting the flame instantly became a moment of shared national consciousness and pride.
But the dial up of 2000 was nothing to the digitally connected country we will be across this vast brown land in 2032. The cultural and economic connections are deeper too.
Over the next decade you will see thousands of people from across Australia make Brisbane their new home. Creating jobs in logistics, civil construction, media, sports administration and the huge hospitality exercise that is the Olympics and Paralympics.
The green and gold runway to Brisbane is one which will stretch across Australia. The connection between Western Australia and Queensland is particularly important.
Queenslanders and Western Australians have a special connection.
We are proudly NOT Sydney or Melbourne. Our resource exports have supported the Australian economy during challenging times. We are the two northern states of our federation.
As Sports Minister Anika Wells has outlined, the Olympics and Paralympics deliver so much for Australia’s broad trade and diplomatic agenda. As Australia’s two most trade-exposed economies, this is particularly important for Queensland and Western Australia. 2032 will support jobs and Australia’s long term economic aspirations.
So I urge the great state of Queensland and all that call it home to grab this opportunity. Our image to the world rests in no small part on your shoulders.
Let’s harness our full national capability to ensure the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics delivers for all corners of our nation.
Every part of Australia wants to contribute to, and share in, your success.
From the koalas of Mt Coot-tha to the quokkas of Rottnest Island we are all cheering for both Brisbane and Australia’s gold medal performance in hosting the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.
Patrick Gorman is the Federal Member for Perth and the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister.
