STATEMENTS ON INDULGENCE

Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (15:06): on indulgence—At about 2 o'clock on Friday arvo, Australia breathed again. That second half, where our country had stopped for the Socceroos, where we just hoped that they'd hung on, including with that last-minute save from Patrick Beach, at that time there was a cheer throughout our country. On Friday afternoon classrooms, offices and work sites stopped for a little while.

There were packed pubs. Fed Square in Melbourne and Darling Harbour in Sydney, and smaller places right around Australia, were all glued to SBS. At the end of that tense nil-all draw with Paraguay we could celebrate knowing that, for the third time in history, the Socceroos were through to the knockout stage.

A goal would have been nice, but the draw got the job done. The Socceroos represent so much about what we love about our country. They reflect the strength, diversity and unity of modern Australia.

I had the honour of speaking to members of the squad after their win over Turkiye. They are humble, they are determined and they are so proud to be wearing the green and gold. This is a team that can trace their heritage to every corner of the world, and they love playing together for the best country on earth.

As Tony Popovic keeps saying, his team do their talking on the pitch. So when the Socceroos take on Egypt in Dallas at 4 am on Saturday morning—set your clocks now—there will be tens of thousands of Australians in the stands barracking for them, but there will also be 28 million Australians barracking for them here at home and cheering them on. On behalf of all Australians, thank you for what you have done, not just on the field in lifting up the spirits of our nation but also off the field with the character that you have shown.

Tony Popovic has made courageous decisions as the manager of the team—changes in all three games, changes in tactics in all three games. He's a fine Australian. I had the privilege of hosting him here in Parliament House at the end of last year, along with a number of their players before they had the ashes game here at Manuka Oval against New Zealand.

This is indeed the world game. All four codes receive support here in Australia, but there is nothing quite like a football world cup. It is a big event, and they are doing Australia proud.