As Australia’s women shine in Paris and on the international sporting stage, Mallee communities are missing out on sporting facilities due to delays in the Albanese Government’s ‘Play our Way’ sporting grants program, Member for Mallee and Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health Dr Anne Webster said today.

“Australia’s sportswomen are currently second in the women’s medal tally in Paris with 10 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze medals, and 70 per cent¹ of Australia’s medals to date have been won by women. That’s a great credit to our sportswomen who in many parts of the country compete using facilities second to those enjoyed by sportsmen,” Dr Webster said.

“After the Matildas’ success reached fever pitch last August, the Coalition committed $250 million over four years to improve female participation in sport through community sporting infrastructure upgrades. Days later, the Albanese Government followed our lead and announced a lesser $200 million ‘Play our Way’ program. However, it is now August again and Labor still have not announced grant winners under their program.

“In my regular communication with Mallee Councils I know that some have applied for Play our Way funding and the uncertainty about grant success is delaying the construction of new facilities. Worse still, in one instance facilities would have been developed by now if Labor had not axed Coalition spending programs after the last federal election.

“I call on Sports Minister Anika Wells to announce the Play our Way grant recipients or explain why Labor are still holding the ball almost a year after the program was announced.

“This is a very concerning trend in Labor’s infrastructure record, after cuts to Coalition programs, a 90 day review that became a 200 day review and the 2023 Brisbane Olympics ‘Gabba rebuild price-tag plucked out of thin air.”

_{1 Footnote: as of 5 August, women had won 21 of Australia’s 31 medals equating to 70 per cent, excluding the Bronze medal for the Mixed 4×100 medley relay}