Taskforce unites to deliver 2032 Olympic Games bid

Political leaders of all levels have come together in Queensland to hammer out a plan to take their proposal to the International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach in Switzerland.

A UNITED taskforce of council, state and federal backers has been formed to take a preliminary SEQ 2032 Olympic proposal to Games bosses next month.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Australian Olympics boss John Coates and delegates from the southeast’s mayors met in Cairns yesterday, hammering out a united plan to take their Olympic proposal to the International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach in Switzerland.

Premier Palaszczuk on Thursday named Tourism Minister Kate Jones to assist her with investigating the cost of an Olympic bid, and Ms Jones will join Federal counterpart MP Ted O’Brien and Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson on the combined taskforce.

Prime Minster Scott Morrison (second from right) greets Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Tourism Minister Kate Jones before a meeting at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: AAP/Brian Cassey

The AOC said it was confident Brisbane and Queensland could mount a “compelling case to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games”.

“Today was an outstanding start and strong display of unity,” Mr Coates said.

“The leadership group will ensure a disciplined approach and alignment between all levels of government.

“We know Queensland and Australia has the capability and experience to host an Olympic Games in this country for a third time but must ensure that all planning is aligned with Queensland’s long-term requirements, particularly transport infrastructure, including fast rail, community wellbeing and grassroots sports.”

Ms Palaszczuk said “everyone needs to share in the pride that the Olympic Games would bring to Queensland.

“It’s early days but the value proposition is under way.”

Lord Mayor Schrinner said the “Olympic Games is a big opportunity for the southeast and Queensland, bigger than any one level of government.

“The SEQ Mayors started this idea of an Olympic Games as a great catalyst to bring governments together to deliver the transport infrastructure our region needs. There’s still a lot of work to do, but this is the beginning of an important conversation about Southeast Queensland.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (right) has named Tourism Minister Kate Jones (left) to assist her in costing the 2032 Olympics bid. Picture: AAP/Brian Cassey

Using an Olympics bid to help fast-track critical infrastructure needs in southeast Queensland was at the top of the action plan delivered during The Courier-Mail’s Future Tourism campaign in June.

Cr Jamieson said what had started as an idea from the mayors in 2015 “is now shaping up to be a real possibility” while Mr O’Brien said the bid was “on the starting blocks and the starter’s gun has been fired”.

“We are now working with one focus,” Mr O’Brien said.

Originally published as Taskforce unites to deliver 2032 Olympic Games bid