Paralympian’s letter to Premier in long-running ministerial title saga

Paralympic swimmer Monique Murphy has revealed the emotional letter she penned to the Premier 10 months ago.

Champion Paralympic swimmer Monique Murphy has revealed the emotional letter she penned to Premier and Olympics Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk 10 months ago, emphasising the importance of adding Paralympics to her ministerial title.

In a formal letter written last year, Murphy directly asked Ms Palaszczuk to change her Minister of the Olympics title because the exclusion of Paralympics had contributed to the “invisibility” of the entire Australian disability community. But the passionate plea was blatantly ignored.

“Something as simple as your title, continues to hide our movement away,” Murphy wrote.

“Please make sure you instruct your press office and your Department to rename your role as ‘Minister Olympics and Paralympics’ for the rest of the lead-up to this fantastic event which I, as a proud adopted Queenslander and amputee, am so looking forward to.”

MONIQUE MURPHY’S LETTER

The Premier’s office responded two months later, however her request for title change was ignored, with the one-page reply instead used to commend her Paralympic achievements and list the state’s inclusion and accessibility plans for the 2032 Games.

“Thank you for your letter regarding the Premier’s ministerial designations,” the letter from the Premier’s office said.

“The Queensland Government does not underestimate the importance of inclusion and accessibility for Brisbane 2032.”

Murphy said the Paralympic community had been talking about the exclusionary title for months, writing letters or in some cases, approaching Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk personally to convey their disappointment and advocate for change.

Paralympic swimmer Monique Murphy

“There’s obviously so many issue with having it not in the title … it’s been a topic of conversation for a lot of us,” Murphy said.

“A lot of us took action to send letters and ask her at events. I sent her a letter last year and had quite a dismissive reply.

“It seems to me it wasn’t a mistake, it’s been a discussion. I know through my channels of communications with people with a disability, it was pointed out to her quite early.

“It can be a bit of a slap in the face to see that title emerge. You don’t call NRL (the) AFL.”

PREMIER’S OFFICE REPLY

Like many others, Murphy was disappointed to continuously hear the Paralympics left off introductions at public events.

“I’d say everywhere I’ve been to where she’s present and they announce her as the Minister of Olympics I always have people looking at me, even across the able bodied community people were like, ‘what’s going on?’” Murphy said.

“This title holds so much power because it sets the tone... it’s the first thing you see and hear, the first thing that’s announced at events.

“I see other MPS continuously leave out Paralympics in their speeches, but when that tone is set from the top, how can you blame them?”

Although she described it an exhausting fight for change, Murphy was relieved to see Ms Palaszczuk’s social media announcement about the title change on Wednesday night.

“It was a frustrating point to continue to have to advocate for the title change, especially after Tokyo where we got a lot of media attention,” she said.

“It’s big relief that it’s been changed, but it was a fight we didn't wish to have.

“Para stands for parallel, standing side-by-side, it speaks for itself.”

Paralympians have asked me to add ‘Paralympics’ to my title. I’m happy to do that and it will be changed by the end of the year.

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) September 28, 2022