Bombshell power spat threatens Qld Olympics
Less than three months since Brisbane won the 2032 Games the Commonwealth is threatening to walk away from a $5 billion partnership over claims the Premier has made a power grab.
QLD Politics
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The Federal Government has threatened to walk away from its pledge to split the cost of Queensland’s $5 billion Olympics over fears Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is attempting a power grab to take control of its independent organising committee.
Less than three months after winning the 2032 Games the Commonwealth Government has warned it could scrap the partnership with Queensland over fears Ms Palaszczuk will wield unprecedented power over the lucrative Brisbane Organising Committee – claims a spokesman for the Premier has rejected.
The Courier-Mail on Friday revealed up to nine of the 22 yet-to-be-appointed committee directors would be chosen by Ms Palaszczuk through her role as Premier and Olympics Minister – compared to just four from Prime Minister Scott Morrison – under draft legislation set to go before Parliament this month.
In a staggering intervention, Federal Coalition MP Ted O’Brien, who is Mr Morrison’s special envoy on the Olympic Games, warned the Premier to equalise representation on the committee or risk the consequences.
“My key concern is the suggestion that the Premier may amass an extraordinary amount of power in the appointments and therefore control of the organisation,” he said.
“Avoiding any overreach of one tier of government is why 50-50 partnership is so important.
“If the Premier wishes to impose her will in breach of the federal and state agreement I will be left with no choice but to recommend to the Prime Minister that we withdraw from the 50-50 partnership – everything will go.”
Mr O’Brien said the appointment of the organising committee was the most critical decision of the Olympics and declared there was “one opportunity” to get it right.
“If the organising committee can be effectively driven by one person Queenslanders would be the ultimate losers,” he said.
“I am absolutely committed to seeking a united approach but that doesn’t mean the federal government will blindly follow the state.
“It’s a 50-50 partnership, not purely a 50-50 funding split.”
Draft legislation establishing the organising committee could be go before parliament as early as next week.
Mr O’Brien called for it to be delayed until later in the month while the state and federal governments “resolve our issues”.
He also urged the Queensland Government to recommit to a 50-50 decision-making and financial partnership with the Commonwealth along with confirmation members of the organising committee would be “truly independent and chosen on merit”.
A spokesman for Ms Palaszczuk said Mr O’Brien’s assertions about the organising committee were “incorrect”.
“The draft legislation has been prepared in close consultation with the Commonwealth including Senator Colbeck,” he said.
“It is being reviewed by Games partners.
“Once finalised it will be introduced to parliament later this month.”
In April Mr Morrison and Ms Palaszczuk struck a landmark deal to split the cost of major infrastructure required for the Games equally.
Under the agreement venues, road and transport projects would be equally funded by the state and federal governments on the condition that a jointly-owned, funded and run Olympic Infrastructure Agency is set up with full oversight on what goes ahead.
The federal government’s threat could force Queensland taxpayers to foot the multi-billion dollar bill for the necessary upgrades.
Mr O’Brien said engaging the private sector and attracting investment could only be achieved with the right governance model in place.
“There will be no surer way in turning off the private sector than to have a state government-controlled organising committee,” he said.
The spat over Olympics partnerships comes as hundreds of mad supporters, friends and family braved a hot Queensland day to welcome their Olympic and Paralympic heroes at King George Square on Friday.
Two keys to the city were given to the Olympic and Paralympic teams, with stars like Ariarne Titmus, Curtis McGrath, Taliqua Clancy and Ash Moloney at the celebration.
“Today is a celebration about acknowledging the achievements of these inspiring Queenslanders who went to Tokyo in the most difficult of times and came back Olympic heroes,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“If our Queensland Olympians had been a country in their own right we would’ve come 7th in the world.”
Kingaroy’s silver medal beach volleyballer Taliqua Clancy said it was a “really special” atmosphere.
“It was actually really nice, I wasn’t sure how many people would show up but it was a really great turnout and its really nice to celebrate Brisbane 2032 as well,” she said.
“Because of the challenges of Covid I am just so grateful on the journey to the (medal) moment, my whole life has been built up for this.
“The first month the medal did not leave my side... but we definitely want to keep going till 2032 and change the silver to a gold.”
Susie O’Neill congratulated the Australians and said they equalled our highest ever medal tally.
“There is so much to be proud of with this team, over half the team were females and we had the highest number of Indigenous athletes,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk on Thursday revealed she would add the 2032 Brisbane Olympics to her ministerial responsibilities as part of a minor Cabinet reshuffle.
The Premier has become Olympics Minister, while Treasurer Cameron Dick assumed her former Trade portfolio.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles is the Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure, in addition to his State Development and Local Government and Planning portfolios.
Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe is the Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement.
The Premier said the ministerial responsibilities were “small but necessary steps” towards delivering the 2032 Games.
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