LNP on collision course with feds over Games funding
A Games funding war is brewing, with Jarrod Bleijie’s federal Labor counterpart taking issue with the state LNP’s attempt to revisit the agreement.
QLD Politics
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An Olympic and Paralympic Games funding war is brewing, with federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King slapping down Queensland’s attempt to revisit the agreement to split the cost of the event.
After new state Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie’s declared all Games venues and funding agreements would be on the table as part of the LNP’s 100-day review, Ms King warned uncertainty would lead to cost blowouts and construction delays.
The Courier-Mail on Tuesday revealed the state had inquired with the federal government about using some of the cash allocated to the $2.5bn Brisbane Arena – or the $935m for minor venues – to help build its main athletics stadium.
It prompted Ms King to write to Mr Bleijie warning him against attempting to rewrite their funding agreement.
“It is the Commonwealth’s expectation that this agreement continues,” she said.
“Significant progress is being made on these projects with the Brisbane Arena joint business case well under way, and a significant number of minor venues program projects already approved and under procurement.
“The Commonwealth is concerned that any delay to these projects as a result of another review risks increasing the costs of these important projects and will ultimately mean projects are delayed and Queensland taxpayers have to pay more, as construction costs increase.”
Ms King said the Brisbane Arena and minor venues with finalised business cases should continue to progress.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is leading the push for the LNP’s 100-day review to consider all options – including a new stadium – put forward by stakeholders.
Premier David Crisafulli did not address that push, but again declared the review would focus on generational infrastructure.
“I love the fact that across the board people are engaged and want to see us turn around,” he said.
“The comment that people feel embarrassed about what’s happened in the last 1200 days and they want to create opportunity, I love that.
“It will be a comprehensive review and it will create the kind of generational infrastructure that Queenslanders were told about 1200 days ago.”
Mr Schrinner on Tuesday said the Albion Park harness racing track, first proposed as a stadium site in 2019, should be put back on the table – as well as the Gabba.
While stating his preferred option was “the best possible outcome” for Queensland, he said transport was critical.
Mr Schrinner said Victoria Park already had a train station and soon would have the Metro.
The Gabba’s transport options had become increasingly expensive with the cost of an underground Metro likely to grow from the original $450m to $600m, taking the total rebuild cost to $3.3bn, he said.
Mr Schrinner insisted a legacy oval stadium was critical, not just for the Olympics but to host AFL, cricket and concerts.
Olympic and Paralympic Games Minister Tim Mander refused to be drawn on his preferred stadium option, insisting the decision must be left to the 100-day review.
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