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Kate is passionate about contributing to public debate on a wide range of important issues. Here are some of the issues she has touched on in the past.
- Should successful athletes have to pay back the AIS 10 Jun 2009
- Let's give youth voice now for a better future 12 Oct 2008
- Organ donation it's the greatest gift of all 21 Sep 2008
- Is safe sex message falling on deaf ears 31 Aug 2008
- Grassroots funding is key to Olympic glorys 10 Aug 2008
- Easy to overlook big issue of homelessness 20 Jul 2008
- Trailblazer Natasha leaves lasting legacy 29 Jun 2008
- Heavy hitters boost our World Cup hopes 01 Jun 2008
- Youth Forum Discussion Paper 17 May 2008
- We can't take sport for granted 11 May 2008
- Women truly can do anything be anything 20 Apr 2008
- Let the Games begin with all our athletes 30 Mar 2008
- Proud past but future a challenge for women 09 Mar 2008
- Young people will be heard at highest level 17 Feb 2008
- Our nation has changed dramatically in three weeks 16 Dec 2007
- Mobile Phone Towers 23 Sep 2007
- Bradken Foundry 01 Jul 2007
- Full Fees 03 Jun 2007
- Eating Disorders 17 Dec 2006
- Iraq 27 Jul 2006
- Electoral Laws 26 Jun 2006
- Dental 08 Jan 2006
- Make Poverty History 18 Sep 2005
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
Media Releases
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 200819 Apr 2010 - Special Olympics Open in Adelaide
The Hon Kate Ellis MP Minister for Sport The Hon Bill Shorten MP Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services MEDIA RELEASE 19 April 2010
Special Olympics open in Adelaide
The Minister for Sport Kate Ellis and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities Bill Shorten today joined more than 850 athletes to open the ninth National Special Olympics in Adelaide today.
Ms Ellis said the event is a great opportunity for her electorate of Adelaide and presents a chance for even more Australians to get active.
"The competitors here today are extraordinary athletes and a powerful reminder of the potential that people with disability have. This event demonstrates what they can achieve if they are given an opportunity," she said.
"The Rudd Government wants to help create a more inclusive sporting system where all Australians can participate in sport at a grassroots and elite level - and the Special Olympics is leading the way," Ms Ellis said.
"The Games are expected to inject more than $3 million into the South Australian economy, with about 5,000 people converging on our city from around Australia."
Mr Shorten said the Games will run until 24 April and are a great opportunity for athletes with an intellectual disability to compete across twelve sports.
"The Special Olympics movement enriches the lives of Australians living with an intellectual disability by providing opportunities to be involved in competitive sport," Mr Shorten said.
"The Games are the culmination of work by Special Olympics Australia, which supports around 4000 athletes in more than 250 sports clubs across Australia.
"The Games help people with disability to overcome stereotypes and prejudice by giving them an identity beyond their impairment," he said.
"This week the community can see these competitors are simply remarkable athletes competing at the national level, not people defined by an intellectual disability."
From these Games a team will be chosen to represent Australia at the Special Olympics Summer World Games to be held in Athens from 25 June to 4 July 2011. About 7,500 athletes with an intellectual disability from 185 nations will compete in 22 sports.
"I wish all athletes success in their chosen sports in these Games, especially those aiming for a place on Australia's team for the World Games in Greece next year," Mr Shorten said.
For more information, please contact the Minister's office on (02) 6277 7350