Television interview, ABC News Breakfast with Michael Rowland

E&OE transcript
Television interview
ABC News Breakfast

Michael Rowland: What's going on at Federal Parliament this morning, including a special event for the Invictus Games. The Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh is taking part. He joins us now from the parliamentary basketball courts. Minister, good morning to you. This and we know the Invictus Games is such an important and platform for veterans, isn't it? What's this morning's event about?

Matt Keogh: So this morning, Michael, we announced a $9 million contribution from the Australian Government to enable Invictus Australia for their participation in the games in Germany next year. But this morning, we were out doing the Invictus Challenge with MPs. We had wheelchair rugby, we had bowls, we had the ergos out for the rowing, getting MPs to have an experience about the sort of sports that are involved not just in the games, but also the work that Invictus Australia is doing in community support, sorry community sport and engaging veterans in community sport to help them in their transition from defence into civilian life.

Michael Rowland: Okay, and how did you go?

Matt Keogh: Look, I managed to score a try, which was pretty surprising for an AFL person. The lawn bowls was a lot more difficult than anyone anticipated. And I will give a bit of a shout-out to my shadow, Barnaby Joyce, who even had a good crack on the ergo as well.

Michael Rowland: Okay, so how do you rate his performance?

Matt Keogh: Well, I'm told that he put in a better performance than anyone else who did the challenge on the ergo. Somehow I managed to miss that opportunity. But big up to Barnaby for putting in an effort there.

Michael Rowland: Yeah, big up to anybody involved in promoting the Invictus Games. Our very own Nate Byrne has been heavily involved in that over the years as well… Okay, Matt Keogh, I really appreciate your time this morning. Thanks for persevering in some pretty rough weather there as well. Thank you. Thanks.

END

Authorised by The Hon Matt Keogh MP

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