Australian Olympic Committee welcomes new Federal Sports Minister

The appointment of Anika Wells as Australia's new Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells has been welcomed by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) following her appointment to the role tonight by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Advising that the Olympic movement looks forward to working with Minister Wells, AOC President, Ian Chesterman stated "firstly, congratulations to our new Sports Minister Anika Wells for securing what is a pivotal portfolio, given the exciting decade that will lead to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the decade beyond.

"The Australian Olympic Committee is ready to assist the Minister in ensuring sport contributes to an even better Australia.

"With the Organising Committee for Brisbane 2032 already underway, we look forward to working closely with the new Minister to make the most of this unique opportunity, not only for her home state of Queensland, but for all Australia.

Chesterman also thanked Senator Don Farrell for his work as the Shadow Sport Minister and congratulated him on his appointment to Cabinet in the Trade and Tourism portfolios.

He added “with the green and gold runway of sport that leads to Brisbane 2032, the major sporting events coming to Australia will provide a welcome boost for tourism. The FIBA Women's World Cup, the UCI World Road Cycling Championship, the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Rugby World Cups for men and women to name just a few.

"Sport, trade and tourism have always been joined at the hip.

"We look forward to the Commonwealth Games returning to Australia when regional Victoria plays host in 2026.

"These are all fantastic opportunities for our athletes and all Australians. They will provide great motivation for our young people to pursue their sporting dreams in our Olympic sports, which offer so much more diversity and potential, beyond the scope of the domestic professional codes.”

AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll offered his congratulations also to incoming Health Minister Mark Butler and Education Minister Jason Clare.

Carroll noted “sport has such a critical role to play in contributing to a healthy Australia and helping tackle significant issues around issues of obesity and mental health.

"In conjunction with our colleagues with Commonwealth Games Australia we have developed our 10+10 sport investment framework to ensure sport can play its part.

"The AOC has invested significantly in education programs that assist children in reaching their potential through initiatives such as Olympics Unleashed and Olympic Change Maker.”

Significantly, Carroll acknowledged a far wider group as having a stake in sport, stating “we stand ready to contribute in other ways, through our commitment to practical support for Indigenous Reconciliation through sport and our sustainability ambitions as a signatory to the United Nations Sport for Climate Action Framework. In these important portfolio areas, we are delighted with the appointments of Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen.

"Sport diplomacy can assist Senator Wong in the Foreign Affairs portfolio, particularly with our reach into the Pacific as a member of the Oceania National Olympic Committee.”