Subjects: Paralympic Games
E&OE……………………………………………………………………………………
JOURNALIST:
How would you describe the achievements of this Paralympic team?
PRIME MINISTER:
Absolutely magnificent. A great example to all of us. My wife and I saw, along with thousands of other Australians, we saw many of the events. It’s the greatest tally of gold medals, the greatest Paralympics ever and a huge boost to the whole cause of the Paralympics – that’s the best thing. It’s really put Paralympics on the map in a way that it wasn’t before and I’m so happy about that. The Australian public has been magnificent and there will be a different attitude and mindset about Paralympics as a result of these Games. I thank the people of Australia, particularly the people of Sydney, for the fantastic support and enthusiastic barracking that they gave to these wonderful athletes.
JOURNALIST:
Were you surprised by that level of enthusiasm? Did you expect that there would be so many spectators?
PRIME MINISTER:
Australians are always fair and enthusiastic about good sport and they were great athletic performances. It’s just so encouraging to see that happen. I never doubt the generosity and decency of Australians.
JOURNALIST:
Do you think Australians have set a standard that the rest of the world is going to have to match over the coming years?
PRIME MINISTER:
Oh yes. As we did with the Olympics.
JOURNALIST:
What do you think it is about Australians that does that?
PRIME MINISTER:
We are a can-do country and the fact that we’re such an egalitarian, fair minded country. We have the motto of the fair go. We don’t have that for nothing. We do give people a fair go, it’s one of our great qualities and we should be very pleased about it.
(ends)