Labor vows to abolish council Olympic advisory committee

Two months before the Brisbane local government election, Labor has vowed to cut the council Olympic advisory committee and ruled out doing deals with the Greens.

Two months before the Brisbane local government election, Labor has vowed to cut the council Olympic advisory committee and ruled out doing deals with the Greens.

But there was less clarity on where Labor lord mayoral candidate Tracey Price stands on the Gabba and RNA Showgrounds rebuild, which are under review by the state government.

LNP Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is firmly against the Gabba revamp and believes the RNA renovation should be independently overseen. He also ruled out any deals with the Greens.

Ms Price announced on Sunday she will abolish the council Olympic advisory committee and redirect the $250,000 annual cost towards improving women’s facilities at local sport clubs.

Council opposition leader Jared Cassidy has sat on the committee.

Artist impression of what the RNA Main Arena might look like during the Gabba redevelopment.

“I’ve been absolutely amazed as to what has gone on since then and what we have found out about why the Olympic committee was set-up in the first place,” he said.

“It was a dodgy backroom LNP deal to give Deputy Mayor Krista Adams a plum job. She has done absolutely nothing to get this city ready for the Olympic Games.”

Ms Price, who visited Zillmere Eagles AFL club in Brisbane’s north on Sunday, said the committee cost would be far better invested in the community.

“There are community sporting facilities across our city who need upgrades,” she said.

“Some clubs don’t even have female changerooms and we see females getting changed in their cars, they use the male toilets, or use the backrooms.

Brisbane City Council Labor campaign launch. Labor Lord Mayoral candidate Tracey Price (red), Council Opposition Leader Cr Jared Cassidy (suit), Labor Councillor for Morningside Ward Cr Lucy Collier (purple and orange)

“This is completely unacceptable, we have the 2032 Olympics coming here.”

Ms Price would not commit to a position on the proposed Gabba and RNA Showgrounds rebuilds as part of the 2032 Olympics plan.

“The state government is currently doing a review on all of that infrastructure and the stadium rebuild,” she said.

“I will have a position … but I want to see what the review brings.”

But she has decided on a stance in terms of potential deals with the Greens if Labor wins minority government in the March elections.

“I’m not making any deal with the Greens,” Ms Price said.

“I’m hoping to run a council that is held by majority Labor.”

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said he has ruled out any minority government deals, but believes Labor and the Greens will do a deal, despite Ms Price’s comments.

He also reaffirmed his position on Olympics infrastructure plans.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. Picture: Richard Walker

“The Lord Mayor has made it clear he does not support the current Gabba proposal and believes all Games infrastructure and venues, including the RNA, should be overseen by an independent body,” a Schrinner Council spokeswoman said.

Mr Schrinner sensationally quit the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Intergovernmental Leaders’ Forum last month, declaring he “will no longer fall into line and support the state government’s current Gabba plan”.

The RNA stadium plans prompted Mr Schrinner to quit. He accused the government of a “foolish attempt to extort Brisbane ratepayers” after the state demanded the Council, RNA, Queensland Cricket and Brisbane Lions share the cost, which would be tens of millions each.

Regarding Labor’s commitment to abolish the council Olympic committee, Mr Schrinner fired back at Ms Price and Mr Cassidy’s scathing remarks.

Gabba cricket and AFL ground redevelopment artist impression.

“If Labor is so confident of being in office that they are already deciding Civic Cabinet roles, then they need to come clean on the power-sharing deal they have done with the extreme and risky Greens,” a Schrinner Council spokeswoman said.

“How will Civic Cabinet function under a Green/Labor coalition of chaos, and which key cabinet roles will go to the Greens?

“It is becoming clearer each day that a risky Green/Labor coalition of chaos and their radical agenda will come at a huge cost to every Brisbane resident.”