The Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh Delahunty, made the announcement at a special event in Victoria where he was joined by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President, John Coates, the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) general manager of sport, Michael Hartung, and several athletes including the Winter Paralympic bronze medallist Jessica Gallagher.

"Competing at the highest level is no mean feat – it takes all kinds of sacrifices and commitment, it's also a huge financial undertaking," said Delahunty.

"That's why I'm delighted the Victorian Government has been able to provide this support to our elite athletes so they can put in their best performance.

"This funding will assist the Victorian Olympic Council and the Australian Paralympic Committee with the logistical requirements and offer our athletes every possible opportunity to focus on sport and go for gold."

Among the athletes set to benefit from the extra funding is Gallagher (pictured), the first Australian woman to win a medal in the Winter Paralympics when she finished third in the women's slalom visually impaired in Vancouver last year and who hopes to compete in athletics at London 2012. 

The funding is a particular boost for the APC, who have been particularly vocal over the last year about needing more funding to be seriously competitive against the world's top Paralympic nations such as China, Britain and the United States.

"This funding injection from the Victorian Government will provide valuable assistance to the Australian Paralympic Committee as it works towards achieving its goal of preparing the best prepared Australian Paralympic Team ever," said Hartung.

"It has never been harder to win a Paralympic medal, which is why the Australian Paralympic Committee depends on a greater level of support from Government, the corporate sector and the community to ensure Australia remains a leading nation at the Paralympic Games."

In total, it will cost the APC nearly $8 million (£5 million/€6 million) to send the Australian Paralympic Team to London 2012 next year in what will be their largest ever team to compete at an overseas Paralympic Games.

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