Aboriginal Power Cup

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:06): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. Minister, will you inform the chamber about the 2015 Aboriginal Power Cup held last weekend as part of National Reconciliation Week?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:06): I thank the honourable member for his question, his interest in Aboriginal affairs and his interest in football in general, and particularly the Power. As many members would be aware, the Aboriginal Power Cup was recently held during Reconciliation Week. This annual three-day event has a focus on cultural activities, health and education and, as the leader of the this house pointed out, it has some very good benefits. Of course, there are footy games played by the teams that attend. The culmination of the three-day carnival is the grand final that is played before the Port Power game at the Adelaide Oval. It is a great thrill for both the young people involved and also their families, friends and spectators.

This program has grown in leaps and bounds since the inaugural Aboriginal Power Cup eight years ago. The Aboriginal Power Cup uses sport and the passion for football to engage young people to consider education, training and employment. Students are required to complete one or two units of their SACE as part of the program. This aims to increase attendance and retention rates. There is also strong encouragement and emphasis on healthy lifestyle choices, supported by workshops conducted in schools. The program also highlights the importance of culture in the shape of each student's identity.

The program eight years ago started with just 133 students and now has more than doubled to almost 400 students from right across the state. The opportunity to meet some of the young people participating was one of my favourite activities during Reconciliation Week. I was fortunate to launch the Power Cup at Alberton on Thursday a couple of weeks ago, and even more fortunate to spend half of one game goal umpiring one of the girls' games. The skill and aggression shown by the girls on that field made me quite scared and I was thankful to be off the field and in the goals for that particular game.

The program will no doubt engage those young people to become leaders of the future at home, at school and within their communities. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Power staff, partners and others who have contributed with their ongoing dedication and support for this successful program.

The government of South Australia supports the Aboriginal Power Cup and is very proud to have been contributors over a number of years. We have also placed a strong emphasis on strengthening governance and recognising Aboriginal culture and identity. I hope the young people who attended and played as part of this year's Power Cup kept that in mind as they took the field and engaged in a whole range of programs that were on offer.

The government of South Australia is committed to empowering Aboriginal people to have a stronger voice in decisions that affect their lives. We are also supportive of a range of activities taking place within our communities that support young Aboriginal people who want to further their career aspirations and perhaps even their football goals. I may well have seen the next Gavin Wanganeen playing in this year's Aboriginal Power Cup. In fact, I understand that there are a couple of participants from last year's cup program who could be picked up in the draft and there has been some real potential for next year's draft.

Again, I would like to extend my congratulations to all those who were involved. I would also like to thank the organisers of the cup for inviting me and others to participate in the before the bounce event before the Port Power v Western Bulldogs game a couple of weeks ago. It was a great experience and a privilege. The winning teams and those who participated received trophies from the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency Hieu Van Le.

Particular congratulations go to the winners of this year's Aboriginal Power Cup: Christies Beach for the girls and Coober Pedy/Ocean View for the boys. I was there when they were handed their trophies. All those who participated were grinning from ear to ear, and it was certainly a real privilege to see how much they enjoyed playing that grand final at Adelaide Oval. I look forward to next year's Aboriginal Power Cup, and I am sure the program will be even better once again.