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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 | 200801 Sep 2008 - Our 2008 Australian Paralympic Team Departs for Beijing
The largest Australian Paralympic Team to compete abroad today left for Beijing to take on the world's best in the 13th Paralympic Games.
PDF printable version of Our 2008 Australian Paralympic Team Departs for Beijing (PDF 17 KB)
Joint Release
Kate Ellis MP - Minister for Sport and Youth
Bill Shorten MP - Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, Bill Shorten joined Ms Therese Rein in sending our elite athletes off at a launch ceremony at Sydney International Airport, ahead of the Games' kick off on 6 September.
Mr Shorten said the Games were an opportunity for the Australian Paralympic Team to continue our nation's recent record of success.
"The Paralympic Games is a world stage for our elite athletes to shine upon," Mr Shorten said.
"Our team of inspirational athletes are very well prepared for the tough competition they have ahead of them in Beijing, especially from China, Great Britain and the USA.
"I urge all Australians to get behind our team, follow their achievements closely - and cheer loudly."
Minister for Sport and Youth, Kate Ellis also wished the Australian Paralympic Team the best of luck.
"This is the largest ever Australian Paralympic Team to compete overseas and I am greatly looking forward to celebrating their success in Beijing," Ms Ellis said.
"Every Australian state and territory will be represented at the Paralympics.
"The Team is made up of 170 elite athletes, including 11 guide runners and pilots for the sight impaired, and will be supported by 121 officials.
"The Australian Government has provided more than $26 million to the Australian Paralympic Committee to support Australias Paralympic athletes in Beijing," Ms Ellis said.
The Team travels to Beijing today with a total of 908 medals from Paralympic competition over the past 48 years.
There will be a total of 472 medals on offer at the Beijing Paralympic Games.
Both Ms Ellis and Mr Shorten will attend the Games to support our champion athletes.