Mayors’ united demand: End political games to save the Olympic Games

South East Queensland mayors are demanding an end to the “political games” plaguing Brisbane’s 2032 Olympics, and warn time is running out to get the event back on track.

South East Queensland mayors are demanding an end to the “political games” plaguing Brisbane’s 2032 Olympics, and warn time is running out to get the event back on track.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and the Council of Mayors SEQ say it is critical Premier Steven Miles refocuses the government to deliver the significant transport and generational infrastructure benefits residents were promised.

Mr Schrinner, who two-and-a-half years ago travelled to Tokyo with then premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to secure the event, said the region’s Olympic and Paralympic Games had morphed into a political plaything of the state government.

“However, instead of this talk about cancelling the Games, we should be working to get them back on track, while we still can,” he said.

“Instead of dumping the Brisbane 2032 Games, we should be dumping the political games.

“We must act now to switch the focus from gold-plated stadiums to game-changing transport solutions that improve the lives of all our residents.”

Mr Schrinner comments come a month after he sensationally resigned from the Brisbane 2032 Leaders’ Forum, pointing the finger at “state government skulduggery and gross mismanagement”.

It was a move – combined with the disastrous handling of the RNA stadium proposal – some insiders said ultimately led to Ms Palaszczuk being pushed to resign as Premier.

“It was clear to me the Games had become more about overpriced stadiums rather than the promise of vital transport solutions,” Mr Schrinner said of his resignation.

Then premier and Olympics minister Annastacia Palaszczuk with Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner

“We should make future-proofing our fast-growing region the top priority for 2032 and beyond.

“That’s why we strongly backed the Games to begin with. And that’s what residents are telling me they want to see.”

Mr Schrinner’s comments were echoed by Council of Mayors’ chief executive Scott Smith, who said the Brisbane 2032 Games – first lobbied for by his organisation – previously had the support of three in four residents due to its ability to accelerate major transport infrastructure upgrades.

“The SEQ Mayors have a vision for a fast, accessible and reliable regional public transport network capable of rivalling other world-class Olympic regions,” he said.

“Public transport that connects growing communities, busts congestion and unlocks housing supply, and protects the long-term liveability and affordability of our region as it grows.

“Since securing Brisbane 2032, it feels like government has lost sight of this commitment with an unnecessary focus on stadium upgrades that are not a direct Games cost.”

Mr Smith praised Mr Miles and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli for their “refreshed infrastructure focus” and bipartisan support for an independent authority to deliver major infrastructure projects – an authority Ms Palaszczuk had refused to implement.

“As southeast Queensland prepares to accommodate another 2.2 million residents in the next 20 years, now is the time to refocus efforts to ensure we deliver the generational infrastructure Queensland needs,” he said.

“The Games can help to do this.

“With little more than eight years to go, time is quickly running out to recalibrate our Games journey and ensure we focus our efforts on delivering the lasting infrastructure and transport benefits communities clearly expect.”