Steven Miles vows more bipartisan Games planning

In an effort to distance himself from Annastacia Palaszczuk’s controversial handling of the 2032 Games, Steven Miles has made a key pledge.

Brisbane’s Olympic Games venues would be reviewed and an independent infrastructure delivery authority established if Steven Miles becomes premier, The Courier-Mail can reveal.

In an effort to distance himself from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s controversial handling of the 2032 Olympic Games planning, Mr Miles would move to establish a delivery authority and conduct a 60-day review of the venues masterplan.

It is understood he has spoken with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and David Higgins, the chief executive of the London Olympics Delivery Authority.

Mr Miles is convinced a delivery authority is the way to deliver Games infrastructure, a person familiar with the discussions revealed.

They said the Deputy Premier and Minister Assisting the Premier on Games Infrastructure was pushing to remove partisan politics from Games planning, following strong feedback from stakeholders “who expect more engagement from the government.

The overhaul delivery would reverse Ms Palaszczuk’s long-held refusal to relinquish government control of Games’ infrastructure.

Ms Palaszczuk thwarted attempts for an independent infrastructure authority and used Deloitte advice which recommended the decision-making be contained within the state government.

Allegations of political interference in Olympic Games infrastructure exploded on December 4 when the state government was accused by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner of attempting to “extort” ratepayers for some $40m for an upgrade to the RNA Stadium.

Mr Schrinner walked away from an intergovernmental forum and is understood to be holding firm on he need for an independent infrastructure agency.

Mr Miles’ expected pledge matches similar language from leadership rival Ms Fentiman, who used her Monday press conference to call for a “far more inclusive and transparent approach” to Olympic and Paralympic infrastructure.