Paralympics 2021: Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces groundbreaking move towards equality in sport

In recognition of their ‘national significance’, Australia’s Paralympic medallists will receive the same payment as their Olympic counterparts.

Scott Morrison has announced that Australia’s Paralympic medallists will receive equivalent bonus payments to their Olympic counterparts.

Speaking before the House of Representatives on Thursday, the Prime Minister said the move recognised the “national significance” of the Paralympic team.

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Prior to Mr Morrison’s announcement, the Paralympic athletes did not receive any monetary bonuses for winning medals.

By contrast, Australia’s Olympic Committee offers a $20,000 cash bonus for Olympic gold medallists, while silver medallists and bronze medallists take home $15,000 and $10,000, respectively.

The disparity had caused controversy throughout this year’s Games, and on Thursday the Morrison government informed Paralympics Australia chief executive Lynne Anderson that it would take action.

“I’m very pleased to announce that the government will provide additional support to Paralympics Australia to ensure our Paralympic medallists will receive equivalent payments to our Olympic medallists,” Mr Morrison said.

“I’m delighted we have been able to support our fantastic Paralympians in this way.

“I thank Lynne for the great work that she does with our Paralympic team and the way we have worked together on this.”

Cyclist Paige Greco won the first gold medal of the 2020 Paralympic Games. Picture: Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

In the five years leading up to the Tokyo Paralympics, the Australian government spent $88.8m on high performance programs for para athletes.

The Morrison government’s 2021/22 budget included $3.5m of funding dedicated to helping Australia’s Tokyo Paralympians overcome the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Prime Minister said he was “so proud” of Australia’s Paralympians, who had won 60 Paralympic medals by Thursday afternoon

“They have shown discipline, focus, determination, dogged persistence, a great sense of humour, a great sense of the Australian spirit,” Mr Morrison said.

“We have witnessed the essence of what sport is all about: being the best you possibly can be.”

The Prime Minister thanked the organisers of the Tokyo Games and said he looked forward to witnessing the “tremendous efforts” of Australia’s athletes across the final days of the Paralympics.

“To everyone in the Paralympic movement and to all who organise these Games, especially our great friends in Japan, I say thank you. I say thank you,” he said.

“It has been a great triumph and will continue to be in the days ahead, and to all our Paralympians, thank you so much for inspiring us.

“Congratulations on your tremendous efforts.

“You have inspired us and we are grateful that you’re one of us as Australians.”

Scott Morrison congratulated Australia’s Paralympians on their achievements. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, Paralympics Australia thanked the Morrison government for its “landmark move towards equity in sport”.

“This is such incredible news for our amazing Tokyo Paralympic medallists, who have worked their hearts out to perform the best they can for their country and have inspired and delighted us along the way,” said Paralympics Australia president Jock O’Callaghan.

“Our sincere thanks goes to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Sports Minister Richard Colbeck for their outstanding support for our Australian Paralympic Team and their advocacy for the Paralympic movement.

“It is fantastic to see the Government step up in this way by providing parity for our athletes and I know it is greatly appreciated by every member of our Australian Paralympic Team in Tokyo.”

Lynne Anderson added: “Our Paralympians absolutely deserve equity across the board, including recognition and respect.

“They have all told stories of the importance of valuing inclusion and equity for people with a disability in sport and society in their post-event interviews

“To see equal medal recognition with their Olympic counterparts become a reality, demonstrates tangible proof of what they are advocating for and real hope for a more inclusive future.”

This year’s Paralympics featured more than 4500 athletes representing 163 different countries.

By Thursday afternoon, Australia was ranked eighth in the medal tally, with 13 gold medals, 23 bronze and 24 silver.

Australia’s Paralympians proved just as dominant in the pool as their Olympic counterparts — 28 of the country’s medals were for swimming as at Thursday afternoon.

The Tokyo Paralympic Games conclude on Sunday, September 5.