Brisbane Olympics committee documents, emails excluded from Right to Information rules

Documents and emails held by the powerful committee set to organise Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games could be kept secret under a plan to exclude it from Right to Information rules. 

Documents and emails held by Brisbane’s powerful Olympics committee could be kept secret under a government plan to exclude the organisation from Queensland’s Right to Information rules.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday introduced the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics Arrangements Bill to parliament – the first leap towards delivering the 2032 Games.

Under the proposed legislation the Brisbane Organising Committee for the Olympic Games – which will receive and administer about $5bn in funding – would be exempt from parts of the state’s Right to Information Act, meaning some documents “of a confidential nature that was communicated in confidence” from the Australian and International Olympic Committees could not be accessed via application.

Annastacia Palaszczuk in Queensland Parliament. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The committee will be responsible for organising the accommodation and transport of 11,000 athletes, organising the torch relay, opening and closing ceremonies, managing event ticketing and supporting the host broadcaster.

The government said keeping information secret was “justified given the sensitive nature of some of the documents that will be developed”.

A Department of Premier and Cabinet spokeswoman insisted the exemption would only apply to “information of a confidential nature that is communicated in confidence by the AOC or the IOC”.

A similar provision was included in the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games Act of 1993 – which planned the 2000 Olympics.

Opposition Integrity spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said the Bill “does not allow for transparency” on the operation of the organising committee.

“The legislation states that all documents relating to the Games are not subject to the Right to Information Act,” she said.

“It means all aspects of Queensland preparing for the Games cannot be scrutinised – this is political trickery at its worst.”

Following weeks of negotiations between the state and Commonwealth, a final incarnation of the landmark proposal detailing who holds the power within the committee has been revealed.

Under the proposed law the Prime Minister and Premier will appoint five independent directors – of which one must be Indigenous.

Opposition Integrity spokeswoman Fiona Simpson protected from scrutiny. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

The president of the committee will be appointed from these five jointly-chosen directors.

Ms Palaszczuk and Scott Morrison will also make four personal selections each.

The Bill will also ensure at least half of the 14 nominated directors are women.

Ms Palaszczuk, as Olympics Minister, will also be gifted the power to give the committee a written direction about its performance or the exercise of its powers, once she notifies the Commonwealth Government about her intention to provide it.

The committee will appoint a chief executive officer for a four-year term, however there is no limit on how many times they may be reappointed.

Remuneration would be set by the board.

A significant cash injection by the International Olympic Committee and other revenue streams including ticketing, sponsorship and merchandise sales will keep the committee cost neutral.

Ms Palaszczuk said the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics Arrangement Bill would be declared “urgent”, with the Economics and Governance Committee set to report back to the parliament before November 26.

The contract between Brisbane and the International Olympic Committee stipulates an organising committee must be established before December 21.