Page 945 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 22 March 2017
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We, as a government—and I think today it is clear as an Assembly—will and should continue to add all our voices to this so that we can all benefit from the full and fair participation of our women and our girls in our community. I commend the motion, as amended, to the Assembly.
Amendments agreed to.
Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.
Adjournment
Motion (by Mr Gentleman) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Brumbies rugby union team
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (6.20): I rise this evening to speak in support of Australia’s premier rugby union team, the Brumbies. I believe my remarks tonight are timely amid the ongoing speculation that Super Rugby’s governing body, SANZAAR, is seeking to remove an Australian team from the competition, and there is some speculation that the Brumbies could be that team. Canberrans must not allow this to happen. Tonight I am pleased to commit the support of the Canberra Liberals to keeping the Brumbies in Super Rugby and keeping the Brumbies in Canberra.
The history of rugby union in our region goes back to the 1800s. In 1899 the British Lions opened their Australian tour with a match in Goulburn. The first meeting of the Federal Capital Territory Rugby Union was held in 1937. Fast-forward to 1995, and off the back of a solid season from the Canberra Kookaburras in the New South Wales rugby premiership, the Brumbies were formed as the third Australian provincial team to compete in the new Super 12 competition from 1996. The Brumbies made the final in 1997, 2000, 2002 and 2013, and were champions in 2001 and 2004. The Brumbies’ involvement in Super Rugby has been with considerable success and has put Canberra on the international rugby map.
Today the Brumbies face a new challenge. Canberrans love the Brumbies, and we need to show our support for the team. The Brumbies are part of our city’s modern identity, and they continue to make a strong social, cultural and economic contribution to our city.
I commend the players, staff, board and broader rugby community for what they do for Canberra, and indeed for the sport. In particular, I acknowledge the coach, Stephen Larkham; joint captains, Sam Carter and Christian Lealiifano; chief executive, Phil Thomson; chairman, Robert Kennedy; and president, Bob Brown.
As we always have, Canberrans must get behind the Brumbies, just like the Brumbies have got behind Canberra. I wish the team all the best for 2017 and look forward to many more seasons and many more premierships ahead.
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