Brisbane 2032 Olympics: Labor questions independence of review board

Labor has questioned the ­independence of the seven ­experts hand-picked by the state government to review Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure.

Premier David Crisafulli on Sunday. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Labor has questioned the ­independence of the seven ­experts hand-picked by the state government to review Olympic Games infrastructure, amid Premier David Crisafulli’s refusal to provide details about the secretive ­selection process.

On Sunday, Mr Crisafulli repeatedly declined to say how the seven experts appointed to lead his long-awaited 100-day review were chosen.

Instead, he challenged anyone to find fault in their credentials.

“There wouldn’t be too many Queenslanders who would look at that list and not think that the skill set in the mix is going to deliver some great recommendations in 100 days,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli was asked several times who appointed the board – some who have donated to the LNP – or if there was an independent selection panel, but he refused to say.

“If you believe that there are people on that board who aren’t worthy, give me their names,” he said.

“Who of those seven would you look at and not say, ‘Wow, they bring an amazing mix to that board?’

“The people on that board are the best of the best in their field and they have been recognised as the best of the best and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Labor’s Olympic Games spokeswoman Grace Grace called on the Premier to ­explain the selection process.

“They weren’t appointed ­independently – they were ­appointed by the government, hand-picked,” she said.

“I question their independence, and quite clearly they’re aligned.”

However Ms Grace said the Opposition would reserve its comments about supporting the review until the report was finalised.

“There’s no other choice … we have to wait and see the outcome of this hand-picked board,” she said.

A separate Olympic Games legacy committee established under the former Labor government faces an uncertain ­future, with the LNP yet to commit to continuing it with the 11 directors’ appointments expiring.

Opposition spokeswoman Grace Grace

Mr Crisafulli said: “The Deputy Premier (Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie) is looking at that at the moment, and we have to find a way to make sure that we can put everyone who wants to make a contribution to good use.”

The legacy committee was established by former Labor premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to advise the government about legacy opportunities related to hosting the Games, and its directors included businessman John Wagner and Indigenous leader Cameron Costello.

Ms Grace, who chaired the group during Labor’s term of government, said it should ­remain.

“They’ve said nothing about the continuation of that committee,” she said.

“It’s very important because they’re specifically looking at the legacy issues.”