Sport is a way to really enhance our regional influence

At the grass roots level difficult economic conditions have put pressure on sport. Even funding uniforms is often just too costly.

The danger is that the breakdown in grass roots sport will worsen social disharmony in villages and even urban areas. We can help address that with modest funding.....funding delivered through national sporting organisations in Australia working with regional counterparts.

Coaches and administrators are desperately needed in most sports.

We could establish a regional coaches and administrators college in Australia as an example.

National sporting bodies could be subsidised to contribute to a college.

I recently had a long Radio National interview with Tom Swiitzer on the issue. He was very supportive of our playing a greater role in developing sport in our region.

I have had excellent feedback from listeners.

It just makes good policy sense in an area China just can't compete in.

We might seek to work with New Zealand in doing so.

And I see a role for state governments as well.

I think modest funding would be really effective. And it would enhance people-to-people relations.

And importantly it does not cost billions!