*Check against delivery*
Thank you Tony, and thank you to Kieren Perkins, the Sports Commission and Chair Josephine Sukkar, distinguished guests and all the brilliant reporters gathered here tonight…
Thank you for keeping institutions accountable.
Thank you for telling the stories of the overlooked, under privileged, too privileged, counted out and out-numbered.
I’m delighted to be presenting an award that recognises the instrumental role media plays in regional and remote areas of Australia… its where some of our greatest athletes have emerged… Mackay’s Cathy Freeman, Mt Isa’s Greg Norman…
And its where the lack of fourth estate resources means every story counts.
As Minister for Sport, I am intent on reforming structures so the abuses of power many of you have uncovered, aren't repeated.
I have held this role for ten months now and have done every manner of interview… from discussing international human rights issues with Tracey Holmes, commentating the Gabba Test, to being grilled by Socceroos great Mark Schwarzer on the dynamic pricing of children's football registration.
Yep. That happened.
I have a bone to pick though… ten months in… and where is the searing expose on why NRL island never happened?
Seriously. Everyone is talking about NRL expansion… why are you all silent on NRL Island…remember that?
The COVID idea that would have taken all NRL teams to a Queensland island for a season?
This isn’t a joke. I’m serious.
My message tonight… make NRL Island happen and you will have a better chance of winning a major award next year.
Speaking of… now for the next award…