THE HON JOEL FITZGIBBON MP Shadow Minister for Agriculture Member for Hunter

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26 March 2014

Parliamentary Statement on Alex McKinnon

The horrific and tragic injury suffered by NRL player Ale Mc!innon re"inds us of the dangers of body contact sports# The young Ne$castle !nights for$ard hails fro" Aberdeen in "y electorate and of course% is a local hero and a great role&"odel for younger players# The tac'le $hich led to Ale (s injury $ill no doubt spar' a debate about rule changes% particularly the so&called )three "an tac'le*# That(s a $elco"e thing% it(s a debate $e should ha+e and ,(" confident the NRL $ill act to ensure the ga"e is as safe as it can be% $ithout under"ining the e cite"ent and attracti+eness of the code# -ur thoughts and prayers are $ith Ale Mc!innon and his lo+es ones# , 'no$ all "e"bers $ill join $ith hi" in $ishing a full reco+ery and a long and happy life#

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