Brisbane 2032 Olympics: David Crisafulli mum on using private capital for stadium

Premier David Crisafulli has pledged full transparency in the state government’s Olympic stadium plan, but there’s one question he won’t answer... yet.

Premier David Crisafulli on Monday

Premier David Crisafulli has dodged questions on whether the government would consider using private capital to build a new stadium, if that emerges as a recommendation of the Olympic infrastructure review.

Mr Crisafulli promised Queenslanders all recommendations, and the government’s response to each, would be made public.

“We will be responding to those recommendations,” he said.

“And you will see full visibility in that process, so we’ll be able to be held accountable.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner last month penned a letter to Olympic and Paralympic Games Authority chair Stephen Conry, urging the review board to leverage private investment.

Mr Crisafulli said private partnerships would deliver more for the 2032 Games.

“I sincerely hope there is ­private capital that comes in,” he said.

“It’s a sure-fire way making sure there’s another layer of oversight to deal-build things on time and on budget, so a big tick for private capital.”

Mr Crisafulli has ruled out building a new stadium, but when asked how the government would respond if the ­review submissions pointed to using private capital to build a new stadium he sidestepped the question.

“You’ll see the submissions that come forward, and we will give you a response,” he said.

“And I’ve said this is the point of the cycle where we step back and allow the experts to do their job, but there’ll be no clandestine announcement, you’ll be seeing what was given to us, and you’ll see our ­response.

“We’ll make sure we communicate that with Queenslanders.”

The Olympic and Paralympic Games review is due in mid-March.