Editorial: David Crisafulli still stuck in election mode as Olympic clock ticking

David Crisafulli’s Olympic review has the potential to be as farcical as that performed by Labor, writes the editor.

Premier David Crisafulli (front) with deputy Jarrod Bleijie. Picture: John Gass/NCA NewsWire

During the recent state election and the months leading up to the campaign, Premier David Crisafulli and his deputy Jarrod Bleijie successfully played the small target strategy.

With a tired government that the electorate wanted to punish, the LNP reasoned there was little to be gained in making bold commitments – notwithstanding Mr Crisafulli’s promise to resign if he could not reduce the number of crime victims (with caveats), or his (eventual) revelation of his personal views on abortion.

Particularly frustrating for voters was the LNP’s refusal to state their preferred Olympic and Paralympic Games model, except the apparently contradictory position that there would be “a review”, there would be “no new stadiums” but that the QSAC facility at Nathan would not be part of the plan.

This position obviously did not hurt the LNP at the polls, but there was an expectation that after the poll Mr Crisafulli and Mr Bleijie would be able to speak more freely, and be more open to ideas, about the 2032 Games.

Sadly, that hasn’t happened.

Asked again yesterday if he would expand the terms of reference for the 100-day Olympic and Paralympic review, Mr Crisafulli said no.

“The terms of reference are as they are,” he said, apparently still stuck in election mode.

As we argued in this column last week, the terms of reference must remain broad and unencumbered to give the experts (who are still to be chosen) the full set of options so they can make recommendations in the best interests of all Queenslanders.

Or course, this is the second 2032 venues review, after the one commissioned by former premier Steven Miles and conducted by former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk early this year.

That review strongly recommended the development of a main stadium at Victoria Park – a plan rejected by Mr Miles before Mr Quirk had even handed down his findings.

Mr Crisafulli’s review – one that doesn’t examine all the options – has the potential to be equally farcical.

And the importance of clear early planning has become increasingly evident over the last week as the new government has revealed a string of cost blowouts that the previous government decided not to share with the people of Queensland.

Last week it was revealed by new infrastructure minister Mr Bleijie that Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast Indoor Stadium and Chandler Indoor Sport Centre have blown out by $181m in less than a year.

And yesterday Mr Bleijie exposed a potential $500m blowout in the $2.5bn Brisbane Arena development – with the associated redevelopment of Roma St Station, needed to link the Roma Street Parkland site to the station, not included in Labor’s figures.

“This is an extraordinary amount of blowouts that the Labor Party have hid from the people of Queensland,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Steven Miles needs to apologise for hiding these cost blowouts.”

Labor frontbencher Mark Bailey rejected Mr Bleijie’s revelation, calling it a political ploy and saying it was hard to take it seriously.

Planning for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been hampered by politics almost since the moment in 2021 when Brisbane was awarded this great honour.

It’s time for Mr Crisafulli to have a real review of our venues, listen to the experts, and make decisions based on the evidence in the interests of all Queenslanders.

TONGA’S POWER OF PASSION

Aussie sports fans love a winner, but we also love a trier.

So even the most patriotic league supporter wouldn’t have begrudged Tonga if the underdogs had prevailed in the final of the Pacific Championships in Parramatta yesterday.

The official population of the island kingdom of Tonga is about 107,000, and it seemed like most of them were crammed into CommBank Stadium, all believing their passionate team could pull off a sporting miracle.

And they almost did it, closing to within a try in the dying minutes before going down 20-14.

This was surely a win that the Kangaroos needed to have, after they were humiliated 30-0 by New Zealand in last year’s final, bringing their commitment into question.

There had been criticism at the time that the tournament means more to the Kiwis and the other Pacific nations, but yesterday’s victory proved that the Aussies have been able to draw on that passion.

It’s early days for the tournament, but it looks set to become a fixture on the league calendar, like Origin. It’s great for the game, and great for the region.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here