Tim Watts (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to claim victory on the occasion of Australian Ben Simmons' selection in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game that is being held this weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina. Last year I used the outrageous exclusion of Ben Simmons from the 2018 NBA All-Star Game as an opportunity to draw attention to the golden generation of Australians currently playing in the NBA and the way that these extraordinary Aussies truly represent the confident, modern nation we have become. We are a nation of migrants and the most successful multicultural nation on earth.

Last year I noted that, of the nine Australians in the NBA, there was an Indigenous Australian, four children of migrants and two refugees. This year, I am very pleased to report that there are now a record 11 Australians in the NBA. They include another refugee, Deng Adelaide. He is a South Sudanese refugee who moved with his family to Sunshine, in my electorate, and started his basketball journey at the mighty Sunshine Longhorns. Deng is now following in the footsteps of another South Sudanese refugee to Australia, Thon Maker, and is now playing with the Cleveland Cavaliers, alongside Aussie legend and NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova.

There has been a lot of nonsense said about migrants and refugees in this parliament recently. But let me tell you, ball don't lie. These players show that immigration is nation-building and that Australia is made stronger by saying welcome to immigrants from around the world. Our diversity makes our country stronger.