Premier Steven Miles considers Paris Games snub in favour of regional Queensland

Steven Miles has indicated he may skip travelling to France for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, saying his focus is on “regional Queensland”, in direct contrast to the former premier, who had said publicly she would “absolutely” be going.

Premier Steven Miles has indicated he may skip travelling to France for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, saying his focus was on “regional Queensland – not Paris”.

The Premier’s rethink would be in direct contrast to former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who had expressed privately and publicly she would “absolutely” be going to the Games.

This was despite the Games being held in late July through to August this year – less than three months before the next state election.

Some insiders have expressed it would be “politically risky” for the Premier to travel overseas so close to what was expected to be a fiercely-fought campaign.

Asked whether he would make the trip, Mr Miles said he “hadn’t really thought that far ahead”.

Premier Steven Miles had indicated he may skip travelling to France for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“I’ll have to talk to the stakeholders, but certainly I’m more interested in travelling to regional Queensland,” he said.

“My interest is in spending time in regional Queensland – not in Paris.”

Ms Palaszczuk’s multiple overseas trips had become a point of criticism from some opponents before her resignation in December.

Brisbane Organising Committee president Andrew Liveris and chief executive Cindy Hook have confirmed they would be attending the Paris Games, while convention also states the Lord Mayor of a future host city was usually expected to attend.