Address to the House of Representatives, Statements by Members - Australian Institute of Sport

Tuesday 14 May 2024

Since its establishment in 1981, the AIS in Bruce has supported and inspired generations of Australian athletes, and it has been a centre of sporting excellence. Born out of a disappointing performance at the Montreal Olympics, the AIS quickly became a centre of cutting-edge sports training, coaching and science, bringing together expertise and athletes across disciplines at a modern campus.

While the AIS has been the envy of the world in the past, it's clear that underinvestment in the facilities and programs led to uncertainty about its ongoing future. The NBA understood its value, locating one of its few global academies at the Bruce campus—with almost immediate success.

It's taken a Labor government to get the AIS back on track. After a decade of neglect from those opposite, we are investing in the AIS to ensure that our athletes have world-class training and sports science facilities ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Albanese government will provide $249.7 million for the Australian Sports Commission to revitalise the AIS—the largest investment in the AIS since its establishment. It will allow our world-class athletes, coaches and sports scientists to be the best they can, while inspiring generations of Australians to follow in their footsteps. We're getting on with delivering a better future for all Australians—one that's made in Australia and builds opportunity and thriving communities.