Dr WASHER —My question is addressed to the Minister for Sport and Tourism and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Sydney 2000 Games. Minister, what are the benefits for the government's Tough on Drugs in Sport policy from the IOC announcement that athlete blood samples will be collected during the games?

Miss JACKIE KELLY (Sport and Tourism; Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Sydney 2000 Games) —I thank the member for his interest in our Tough on Drugs policy and the encouragement we are giving to athletes not only in Australia but right around the world to set a good standard and be good role models for others in our society. In that respect, I welcomed the IOC's recent announcement that blood samples will be collected at the 2000 Games. They are also funding validation studies for the detection of human growth hormone. Both of these measures are consistent with the measures the government has been taking in this area and has been calling for for sometime. The introduction of blood testing sends a clear message to all athletes that drug testing at the Sydney Games will be more thorough than ever. So, if you intend to cheat, Sydney 2000 is not the occasion on which to do it. ASDA will be increasing their tests—there will be up to 6,000 tests next year. In 1998-99, they completed 4,800 tests, which was about 500 more than in the previous financial year.

ASDA are also receiving additional funding. In 1998-99, they received an additional $784,000, and they will be receiving an additional $1.1 million in the year 1999-2000 to cover drug testing and education programs in the lead-up to the Sydney 2000 Games. We are also making some very good progress in the detection of EPO, and we are hoping to move this project as well to the validation stage. Our discussions with the IOC at this stage have revealed that it is interested in cooperating with Australia on this project. So we look forward to seeing the last two substances which are options for cheats being closed down in a very tough, thorough and effective drug testing scheme for our Sydney Games in the year 2000.