House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-11-02 Daily Xml

Contents

FIFA Women's World Cup

Mrs PEARCE (King) (14:44): My question is to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. Can the minister inform the house about how the government will work to create a local legacy from the FIFA Women's World Cup?

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD (Reynell—Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:44): I thank the member for this question.

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is called to order.

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: We know that—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Hartley!

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: —for far too long girls and women have not always had opportunities to—

The Hon. P.B. Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Premier is called to order.

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: —equally and actively participate in their chosen sport. But this is beginning to change. But we still have a long way to go. There has never—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey is on three warnings.

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: —been a more important time to nurture and grow female participation in sport, especially as we lead up to the 2023 Women's World Cup being held in Australia and New Zealand, an event that gives us the opportunity to deeply advance gender equality in sport and everywhere else. Because, when we see women and girls being celebrated for being strong, skilful and physical, perceptions about the role of women in our community change. I am so proud to be part of a government that is serious about backing women in sport and one that will harness our role as a host city of the FIFA Women's World Cup to advance the position of girls and women in our sporting community. With the eyes of the world—

Mr Brown interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Florey is warned. The minister has the call.

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: With the eyes of the world on our state, the hosting of 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup games will provide a significant opportunity to provide a lasting legacy to shift perceptions, advance toward gender equality, grow the game and encourage young women and young men to pursue playing football, including at the highest level. I am very proud that our government is providing $1 million over the next two years to grow participation in football in partnership with Football SA, develop women's leadership and deliver—

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Mawson!

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: —programs in clubs and communities aimed at preventing violence against women and children. The previous government's initial decision not to participate in the FIFA Women's World Cup bid sent a terrible, terrible message about their regard for women's sport—

Mr Tarzia interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Hartley!

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: —and was a severe blow to those hoping to see the event here in Adelaide. It was only after our team, then in opposition, campaigned with the community, who collected thousands of petition signatures—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: —that the then government even agreed—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Chaffey!

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: —to be involved in the bid. With now only eight months until the World Cup, our government is committed to absolutely not letting this historic moment pass us by. Alongside our support for local legacy activities, our government is further supporting women and girls in sport through re-establishing our Women in Sport Taskforce to make sure that we continue to break down any barriers to girls and women participating in the way they choose in the sport they love. I wish the Matildas well in their fight in the 2023 Women's World Cup and can't wait for our state to play host to England, Brazil, China, Morocco and South Korea and two further playoff winning teams—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Heysen and member for Hurtle Vale!

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: —and see the lasting legacy that hosting this incredible competition will leave for the girls and women of our state.