Premier rules out New Zealand hosting 2032 Olympic Games events
Less than 24 hours after Kate Jones told a packed room at the Queensland Media Club that there was “some talk” of New Zealand hosting events if Queensland won the 2032 Olympic Games, Annastacia Palaszczuk has emphatically ruled out the suggestion.
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ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk says New Zealand will not be part of the state’s potential Olympics bid.
The Premier this morning emphatically ruled out the suggestion NZ could host events as part of a 2032 Queensland Olympic Games.
It came less than 24 hours after it was raised by the minister assisting Ms Palaszczuk on the bid, Kate Jones.
“No. There is no entertaining at all of New Zealand at all being part of the Queensland Olympics bid,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates said New Zealand was never on the table.
“Never been suggested and to stop and think about it, the reason we’ve come to Queensland is the weather,” he said.
“We’re going to go to the arctic are we?”
Mr Coates said he hadn’t heard that the operational costs were “much different” to those identified in the feasibility study undertaken by the SEQ Council of Mayors.
“My understanding is that it will still go very close to cutting even, if you put aside though the Paralympics,” he said.
“The Paralympic Games is the add on … was outside that original budgeting.
“I think they had that at around $300 million.
“That’s probably the shortfall.”
Mr Coates said Queensland had the “perfect climate” and was a “very attractive place”.
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Ms Jones raised the possibility during a Queensland Media Club lunch on Wednesday,
“There’s even some talk about New Zealand – I shouldn’t say that in front of a whole bunch of journos, should I?,” she told the room.
“I’m too honest.
“We’re not seriously considering that, it’s just a suggestion.
“There’s a lot to take in. There’s a lot to do.”
It comes ahead of a meeting on the Games this afternoon.
Cabinet is set to consider costings for a potential bid before Christmas.
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