• Update: The consultation process to help develop a National Sport Plan is now open until 31 July 2017.

The Minister for Health and Minister for Sport, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, visited the AIS this morning with Australian Sports Commission CEO Kate Palmer to outline the Australian Government's initiative to develop a National Sport Plan.

Australian Olympic Committee CEO Matt Carroll AM, Australian Paralympic Committee CEO Lynne Anderson and Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips, athletes Shelley Watts (Olympic and Commonwealth Games boxer) and Michael Roeger (Paralympic track athlete) also attended.

Minister Hunt released the following statement on the National Sport Plan after the event:

Today I invite all Australians and the sporting community to play a part in shaping the Turnbull Government‘s new National Sport Plan.

The Plan will be a long-term strategy for the whole of sport and will examine four key pillars of participation, performance, prevention through physical activity, and integrity.

A national lottery, to be developed with the states, and activity to boost participation are amongst options being considered.

Consultation will also engage on major sporting events, sports infrastructure, sport governance and funding.

Throughout this process key stakeholders will work closely with the Government, including the states and territories, the Australian Sports Commission and their respective sports, the Australian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Australia.

The Commonwealth makes a significant contribution to Australian sport and the Plan will help to inform clear policy objectives across the entire sector.

Australians love sport. It is one of the defining characteristics of our culture and it is in our DNA.

We come together to play sport at local ovals, fields, courts, parks and beaches. We jump out of bed on a Saturday morning for junior sport and flock to the footy, netball and countless other sports to support our sporting champions.

Participating in sport also makes us healthier both physically and mentally and it is the basis for so many friendships.

Being physically active also reduces our risks for many diseases including heart disease and type two diabetes.

Further details on the Plan, including options for submitting views, are available at www.sport.gov.au. Contributions and ideas are due by 31 July 2017.

Submissions should consider the key issues listed on the website. Further guidance on topics for discuss will be released in the coming week. This is not an exclusive list but is designed to stimulate debate and discussion.

This process of public consultation is one part of a wider program of extensive stakeholder consultation, designed to ensure everyone has the opportunity to have their say.

The following is an excerpt of the Minister's speech: