Brisbane, 28 August 2025: Leading Queensland cricketers Marnus Labuschagne, Xavier Bartlett, Sianna Ginger, and Lucy Hamilton joined Members of the Queensland Parliament at Parliament House to mark the start of the 2025–26 cricket season and promote community cricket initiatives.
The gathering featured the Queensland Parliamentary Friends of Cricket (QPFOC), established in 2015 to increase the profile of cricket in Queensland’s political landscape. The group aims to:
Encourage grassroots cricket participation in local electorates, especially among young girls and women
Promote diversity and inclusion in cricket communities
Support improvements to local cricket facilities for players, fans, and volunteers
Players and Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson were welcomed by QPFOC Co-Chairs Hon Tony Perrett MP (Gympie) and Hon Mark Ryan MP (Morayfield).
Cricket’s strong future in Queensland
Speaking at the event, Hon Tony Perrett noted cricket’s deep roots in Queensland:
“It’s a pleasure to co-chair Parliamentary Friends of Cricket 2025… Cricket has a long and proud history in Queensland with Queensland Cricket turning 149 this year. The 2025–26 summer promises to be incredible with international matches already played in Cairns and Mackay and the Day/Night Ashes Test at the Gabba still to come.”
He also extended his best wishes to the Queensland Fire, Bulls, and Brisbane Heat teams for the upcoming season.
Strong political support for cricket in Queensland
More than 30 Queensland MPs attended the event, highlighting the bipartisan support for cricket development in the state. Among those in attendance were:
Hon Ros Bates MP (Mudgeeraba)
Mark Boothman MP (Theodore)
Michael Berkman MP (Maiwar)
Nikki Boyd MP (Pine Rivers)
Hon Glenn Butcher MP (Gladstone)
Hon Amanda Camm MP (Whitsunday)
Michael Crandon MP (Coomera)
Hon Mick de Brenni MP (Springwood)
Sean Dillon MP (Gregory)
Ariana Doolan MP (Pumicestone)
Hon Shannon Fentiman MP (Waterford)
Hon Mark Furner MP (Ferny Grove)
Michael Healy MP (Cairns)
Bryson Head MP (Callide)
Terry James MP (Mulgrave)
Hon John-Paul Langbroek MP (Surfers Paradise)
Joan Pease MP (Lytton)
Hon Andrew Powell MP (Glass House)
Hon Dan Purdie MP (Ninderry)
Christian Rowan MP (Moggill)
Jim McDonald MP (Lockyer)
Corrine McMillan MP (Mansfield)
Bart Mellish MP (Aspley)
Hon Amanda Stoker MP (Oodgeroo)
Ray Stevens MP (Mermaid Beach)
Trevor Watts MP (Toowoomba North)
Stephen Bennett MP (Burnett)
James Martin MP (Stretton)
Hon Steve Minnikin MP (Chatsworth)
Margie Nightingale MP (Inala)
Rob Molhoek MP (Southport)
The event reinforces the growing commitment to cricket as a community-building tool across Queensland, with a particular emphasis on youth engagement and gender equality.
