Women in Sport

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:32): My question is to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: What a vicious attack.

The PRESIDENT: I know it's a vicious attack, the Hon. Mr Wortley. I am doing my best to protect you.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Thank you. Will the minister inform the council about the ways the Malinauskas Labor government is supporting women in sport?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Autism, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:32): I thank the honourable member for this question and his interest in the important topic of International Women's Day and the 8^th of March. The Malinauskas Labor government is serious about backing women and girls in sport, and we are determined to advance a legacy of equality and inclusion. As an ongoing tribute to the legacy of the Matildas' historic 2023 Women's World Cup run, the Malinauskas Labor government, championed by Minister Hildyard, has established The Power of Her program, because we know you cannot be what you cannot see.

Seeing women and girls play sport and be celebrated for being strong not only physically but mentally, and talented and powerful, transforms how women are perceived and has had an incredible shift in attitudes about the roles they can play in sport and in society generally. As a community, we must passionately and unwaveringly champion the positive impact of South Australian women, especially our amazing female athletes, officials, coaches, leaders and role models for future generations.

This is exactly what we did just last week at the state government's inaugural Power of Her Recognition Awards, with categories including champion; local club, both metro and regional; partner and media champions; outstanding organisations; emerging leaders; and champions of change. Big congratulations again to Jemma Tilley, The Power of Her Champion of Change, who is the head coach at the Murraylands Gymnastics Academy, where she led the academy's revival during 2024 after devastating floods, and to The Power of Her Emerging Leader, Chloe Mackenzie, who created the first South-East junior girls cricket group to assist in the development of girls playing cricket.

One person who I know is known particularly to the Hon. Connie Bonaros is Andriana Petrakis, who is an incredible autism advocate and leader, a tennis coach and player in South Australia, and who was also ranked No.5 in the world for people with a disability in tennis, and No. 1 in Australia.

However, these awards are just one part of The Power of Her. At the heart of The Power of Her is $80 million in grants funding over three years for dedicated facilities, improvements and programs that will grow female sport participation. Beyond The Power of Her program, the Malinauskas Labor government has also:

reinstated the Women in Sport Taskforce to provide advice to the state government on methods to promote women's participation and leadership in sport, and address the issues regarding women and girls participating fully in their sporting passions; and

funded Sport SA to deliver the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Academy for Women's Sport to provide a range of programs for women focusing on mentoring and leadership support, career guidance and transitioning support, media training, networking opportunities, coaching and official development, and board and management development.

I look forward, as the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, to continuing to support the empowerment of women through our codes.