Wednesday, 19 June 2024

 Sam GROTH (Nepean) (14:52): (696) My constituency question is to the Minister for Education. Prior to this year, School Sport Australia and Athletics Australia hosted joint national championships for cross-country as well as other sports, and due to this arrangement School Sport Victoria abrogated their responsibility to select secondary students for the competition to Athletics Victoria. However, a decision has now been taken to create a separate championship run by School Sport Australia focusing on primary and secondary school students, and this year it will be hosted in Yarra Glen. The regular Athletics Australia event will follow a week later in Tasmania. Despite School Sport Australia conducting their own competition this year, School Sport Victoria have indicated they will not select any secondary students for competition from their upcoming trials. This means there will be no Victorian secondary school representation at the School Sport Australia competition held here in Victoria. Will the minister make representation to School Sport Victoria and ensure they change their policy and select secondary students to compete in the upcoming School Sport Australia competition?