Parliamentary Speeches
Transcript: Interview with Deb Cameron - ABC 702 Sydney
09 Sep 2008Subjects: Bet with UK Sports Minister, Paralympics, Chinese Sports Minister
DEBORAH CAMERON: You might have read a little news report about Kate Ellis, the Federal Minister for Sport, in Beijing, sitting up in the stands watching the sport wearing a British tracksuit. It was part of the bet that she had that Australia would toss the Brits when it came to the medal count. Well, it didn't quite happen that way, so Kate had to take her licks.
Good morning, Kate.
KATE ELLIS: Good morning, great to be with you.
DEBORAH CAMERON: How did you feel about sitting up in the stands in a British tracksuit?
KATE ELLIS: Well, of course it wasn't ideal, but I have to tell you I'd just arrived straight from the swimming where I saw our very own Matt Cowdrey win a Gold Medal and smash a world record. And I arrived at the wheelchair basketball and our boys were out there just absolutely slaughtering the British in the game. So, by that stage, I couldn't really have cared less what I was wearing, I was enjoying some Australian glory. So it wasn't as painful as it could otherwise have been.
DEBORAH CAMERON: Now, Kate, you're of course there in Beijing, it's your second visit. The Olympic Games was the first and now you're back for the Paralympics. How does it feel to be making your second trip and I'm thinking about in terms of the connections that you're able to build on the second trip?
KATE ELLIS: Yeah, I think that's very significant. I had a really good meeting with the Chinese Sports Minister yesterday and, building on from this, he's now said that he's going to come out and visit Australia in a couple of months' time. So it's been really important in terms of building upon those relationships and those connections that were made during the Olympics.
There's a whole range of areas within sport and, I must say, particularly within paralympic sport, where we have a lot to learn from other countries and, equally, they do from us as well. So it has been really worthwhile and very important, but also it's just hugely inspiring to be here watching these athletes.
DEBORAH CAMERON: The engagement of the Chinese Sports Minister with Australian sporting effort, what was - what is it that interests China about Australian sport?
KATE ELLIS: Well, it did of course come up, and they believe that they have a lot to learn from us in regards to some of the big sports, and he mentioned both swimming and cycling and actually talked about the fact that China had won the first Gold Medal in swimming with of course some assistance from an Australian coach.
So - and we talked about the way that our sport systems were structured, but also what we could learn in terms of preparation and programs for different sports. And I suggested that if they were thinking about going any further into the swimming pool then perhaps they needed to give us a few of their tips when it came to gymnastics and diving, and they're just doing remarkably well.
DEBORAH CAMERON: [Laughs] A fair exchange, you reckon?
KATE ELLIS: Well, yes, I'm not sure. I know it was a bitter pill to watch the Chinese win gold in the pool and, of course, take gold off of one of our own. So, yes, I think we need something in exchange for that.
DEBORAH CAMERON: Now, just talking about the Paralympics, Australia is already in fourth position on the medal table in the Paralympics, and last night there were world records broken including by Matt Cowdery, as you say. The cyclist Michael Gallagher also won gold.
Now, what is the atmosphere like there for the Paralympics compared with the able bodied Olympics just a couple of weeks ago?
KATE ELLIS: It's a really interesting question. A lot of the issues around the Olympics - and I know there were dramas around ticketing and not having all the stadiums full. Well the Chinese leadership seem to have put a particular emphasis on the Paralympics; they're encouraging members of the general Chinese population to get along. They're giving out t-shirts and the like for those sports where they might have been a [indistinct] and the atmosphere is absolutely electric.
It seems to be - whereas during the Olympics there was a lot of talk about feeling like it was an Olympic bubble and there weren't a lot of Chinese and members of the general public about the place. That's very different over here now and there are a lot of people about everywhere, a lot of Chinese around. And the stadiums are incredibly loud.
DEBORAH CAMERON: I think that's coming across in the TV coverage; certainly the atmosphere seems more relaxed and festive. You can actually hear the chanting of the crowd which wasn't so audible in some of the sports during the main Olympic Games.
KATE ELLIS: Well, I think that's also a result of there not being as many - of course during the Olympics there were a lot of corporate sections where people may not have attended in the numbers that the Chinese had hoped for.
But also there was a large number of - and parts of the stadium which were blocked out for media. And perhaps sadly - I think sadly - there isn't the same media presence at the Paralympics although the ABC are doing a very good job for Australia. But it means that there is actually extra seating, and you can get bigger crowds in for the Paralympic Games; more volume and more support for our athletes out there.
DEBORAH CAMERON: Well, let's talk about the funding of both the Olympics and the Paralympics. There are a couple of big reviews going on into the funding for the Olympic Games, John Coates is involved in one of them. How do you think - when you look at the results of Olympic competition, the demand for more money and, at the same time, the lack of corporate sponsorship for something like the Paralympics - how do you as the Sports Minister weigh up the needs in these two quite different spheres?
KATE ELLIS: Well the Olympic Committee and Paralympic Committee work quite closely together and, in fact, the Paralympic Committee has joined in partnership with John Coates and the Olympic Committee on their current inquiry into funding levels. And equally, earlier this year, our government confirmed additional funding for our Paralympic Committee. And I do think it's incredibly important.
But a lot of people who haven't experienced Paralympic sport seem to talk about it as if it's some form of charity. But, I tell you, when you're here and you're watching these events, it's clear this isn't about disabilities, it's about exceptional athletic ability. And what some of these people are doing out there in the sporting arena is truly phenomenal and something that I think needs to be supported.
When you talk about all of the values by which we try and promote through support, you talk about courage and discipline, leadership, teamwork, well I can't think of anywhere where you see that in greater quantities than here amongst our Paralympians.
DEBORAH CAMERON: One of the other interesting things is the attitude of the Paralympians who are the winners, who we see interviewed, of course. In a sense they seem to reflect a lot more of the amateur characteristics of sportsmanship. You know, just the sheer joy of it, not necessarily waggling a brand of shoe in front of the camera or wearing a particular kind of sunglasses. There seems to be a lot more just, you know, objective pleasure in the fact that they've won.
KATE ELLIS: Well, I've noticed a similar thing that - I mean, I think our Olympians have a fantastic attitude, but perhaps there is a greater degree of pressure on them, and public scrutiny over their performances.
Just here the other night I saw someone win a Bronze Medal and stand up, and they were jumping up and down and, like, it was clearly the greatest thing that had ever happened to them and were absolutely delighted by it. And you really notice that with all medal winners.
Whereas sometimes during the Olympics you see someone that may have just been touched out for gold and they'll be standing, and they'll be pleased with their Silver Medal but you can tell that it's also a disappointment. So I think there is a different level of - a different level of pressure, and it's a really beautiful thing to see.
DEBORAH CAMERON: Thank you very much for your time this morning, and enjoy the games.
KATE ELLIS: It's been lovely to speak with you.
DEBORAH CAMERON: Kate Ellis there who is the Federal Minister for Sport, in Beijing.