Premier David Crisafulli’s aggressive push for Brisbane to host high-stakes meeting with USA

Premier David Crisafulli wants Brisbane to host a high-stakes international meeting in a bold move to boost relationships with the United States ahead of the LA 2028 Games.

David Crisafulli speaks at the AmCham Queensland Futures Institute’s 4th of July Lunch, Brisbane. Photo Steve Pohlner

Premier David Crisafulli is aggressively campaigning for Brisbane to host a high-stakes international meeting to boost relationships with the United States ahead of the LA 2028 Games.

Two senior members of the LNP government – Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and Resources Minister Dale Last – have both visited the US in recent months, with Trade Minister Ros Bates preparing to visit next.

Mr Crisafulli labelled Mr Bleijie’s trip to lure private investment to the state ahead of Brisbane 2032 and attract a new inner-city indoor entertainment arena builder as “remarkable”.

“(It) had a really big focus on what we can do to piggyback on the back of LA28 and what that can mean for infrastructure investment in here,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli said the trip highlighted a “genuine thirst” for people to invest in Queensland and the opportunity to leverage economic investment from LA into Brisbane.

“We can’t miss the opportunity that comes with people heading to the States, and for that to be reciprocated, and for infrastructure delivery partners to be wedded at the hip when that is done,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli revealed he has been lobbying Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for Brisbane to be the Australian host city for next year’s Quad meeting in another bold move to galvanise Queensland’s relationship with the US ahead of their respective Games.

The Quad is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, Japan, the United States and India, the latter of which are hoping to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games after Brisbane.

Mr Crisafulli, the keynote speaker at the AmCham and Queensland Futures Institute’s event to mark American Independence Day, said he would be leading his first overseas delegation within the next month to both Japan and India, with securing the meeting top of the agenda.

“It’s something I’m really pinning our hopes on,” he said.

“The benefit about LA 28 and, who knows, maybe somewhere in India in 2036 … is the ability of that to then lean on those relationships … across three centres that we have great affinity with.

“I just think there’s a really good economic play there.”

President Donald Trump. Picture: Evan Vucci

In another economic play, Mr Crisafulli also revealed he had been in high level talks with Australia’s Ambassador to the United States of America Kevin Rudd about having a permanent US Consul General based in Queensland.

“I just think the message that it will send to our good friends in the States about the importance of Queensland to have a dedicated contact point means a lot, and it will also enable some of those business to business opportunities to be fast tracked,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli said despite global instability, there were huge future trade opportunities for Queensland with the US including growing demand for Australia beef.

He said Queensland’s critical minerals would also likely be highly sort after, even in a competitive market, and would be another target area for Trump tariff exemptions.

“Our critical minerals are the best in the globe,” he said.

“That’s a point of difference, and that’s an opportunity.”

Mr Crisafulli said defence, higher education, tourism and energy were also sectors the state government was focused on promoting to the US and attracting investment for.