‘We don’t need to help’: Minister’s stunning claim to Lions, cricket
Stirling Hinchliffe says housing the displaced Brisbane Lions and Queensland Cricket isn’t the state’s problem, despite Steven Miles just days ago suggesting it was.
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Upgrading the RNA Showgrounds to give the Brisbane Lions and Queensland Cricket a home during the Gabba rebuild isn’t the state government’s responsibility, Sport and Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has sensationally declared.
An all-out war has erupted between the state government and Brisbane City Council over funding a $137m RNA Showgrounds upgrade to host the two major sporting codes displaced by the four-year Gabba demolition and rebuild.
Mr Hinchliffe declared the state had no role in solving the problems of sporting codes, but said state was generously stumping up cash to deliver long-term benefits.
“Let me make this clear – there is no requirement for the state to deal with displacement,” he said.
“There is no contractual need to do that, we are doing this, we are making these offers in order to deliver the best outcome for sport, for the industry for the ongoing viability of those key users ultimately of a re-established, redeveloped, 21st century Gabba.
“That’s what we’re doing it for. It’s not because there’s an obligation to.”
Mr Hinchliffe’s comments were at odds with those made by Infrastructure Steven Miles nine days ago, when he revealed the state was discussing a new home for the major teams.
“We understand how important it is and we want to get it right … we know they need somewhere to play,” he said on November 24.
“There is a lot of work that’s already been undertaken … we’re still talking with cricket about what their preferred option is.”
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner on Sunday denied his withdrawal from the Brisbane 2032 Games delivery forum was politically motivated, and declared the state’s attempt to shakedown ratepayers for cash to upgrade the showgrounds was the final straw.
There are also new questions about how AFL Queensland and Queensland Cricket would fund their share of the $137m stadium upgrade.
Relations between the state government and City Hall are at an all-time low, with Mr Schrinner withdrawing from a media event with Mr Hinchliffe scheduled for Sunday morning to reveal the new Bluey theme park at Hamilton.
Mr Hinchliffe labelled Mr Schrinner’s actions “bewildering” and acknowledged his resignation from the 2032 delivery forum would make it “more difficult” to plan the Games.
“While the city is contributing $0 to delivering the Games it seems that it is important that we do engage the city in solving the problems that they can be part of solving,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“It’s a real shame that he might step away from that leadership role.
“I look forward to seeing what he thinks is the benefit … It’s really hard to tell what he’s thinking.”
Mr Hinchliffe again faced repeated questions about the timing of a missed call to Mr Schrinner on Thursday evening informing him of the state’s plans.
The Lord Mayor was called at 4.21pm, just hours before he announcement was made – with Mr Hinchliffe noting previous conversations among stakeholders had been leaked.
“We’ve known through this process that there’s been a lot of things that have gone into the media pretty quickly when there’s ever been conversations held,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“We thought it was appropriate to share with everyone at the same time and then make things available to the community to share those options.”
Mr Hinchliffe then denied the government did not trust the RNA, cricket, AFL and the council to keep conversations confidential.
“I’m highlighting how important it is we are to have been open and accountable through this process and that’s what we sought to do and we’re happy to do,” he said.
In 2022 Mr Hinchliffe flagged an upgraded RNA would cost a “ballpark” $80m and said the cost of relocating the Brisbane Lions and Queensland Cricket would be contained in the $1bn Gabba redevelopment.
He did not respond directly to those earlier comments, but said relocating the codes was “outside of the requirements that are required for the delivery of the Gabba”.
The Brisbane City Council Labor opposition also refused to commit to providing the cash if the party won office in March.
Labor’s Lord Mayoral candidate Tracey Price said she was “shocked” by Mr Schrinner’s withdrawal of support for the Gabba rebuild and RNA funding, but wouldn’t reveal her future plans for the stadiums.
“The Olympic Stadium is a state government initiative,” Ms Price said.
Labor Leader Jared Cassidy accused Mr Schrinner of “spitting the dummy”.
“Tracey and I have spoken to the Minister, but we have made clear to the people of Brisbane and the state government that our focus is on the suburbs of Brisbane,” he said.
Greens’ Gabba ward councillor Trina Massey argued Mr Schrinner had “finally woken up” to withdrawing support for the Gabba.
“The Lord Mayor pulling his support for this community-wrecking project shows that the community pressure is working,” she said.
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