Senate inquiry to put Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games under the microscope

Roads, venues and the risk of cost blowouts will be put under the microscope at a Senate inquiry into the Brisbane 2023 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Claims of a “slow rollout” of Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues, roads and the risk of cost blowouts will be put under the microscope when the Senate inquiry into the major sporting event sits in Brisbane later this month.

Opposition infrastructure spokeswoman, Senator Bridget McKenzie said cost blowouts and a infrastructure “go slow” cost Victoria the Commonwealth Games, warning the same could happen to the Olympics without proper oversight.

The State Government has previously pointed to the Games being about nine years away, while most Olympics have just a seven-year lead in time, with much of the infrastructure already in existence.

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The Senate inquiry was sparked by Premier and Games Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk’s decision to dump an independent infrastructure agency to oversee projects for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics in favour of keeping it in-house.

Senator McKenzie said independent oversight was critical to ensure the rollout of an international event of the size of the Olympics.

“We’re concerned with the slow rollout of infrastructure, not just facilities like the Gabba … but it’s all that connecting infrastructure, the road, the rail, the transport infrastructure to get thousands of athletes, volunteers and supporters out and about to the Games,” Senator McKenzie said.

“These have very long lead times, the events of this size, and so it is right and proper that the Senate starts to investigate the rollout of that necessary infrastructure now.

“Because we do not want to be caught short for the Olympic Games in ‘32, like Victoria got caught short in this instance.”

She said it was clear from the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games in Victoria that an oversight body independent of government was needed.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk looks at an artist’s impressions of the Gabba redevelopment in 2021. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“One of the things that the Commonwealth Games Association has been very clear and very public about was they were shocked by the announcement,” Senator McKenzie said.

But a state-commissioned Deloitte report found the government’s arrangement would avoid bureaucratic double-ups and costs.

The Olympics Co-ordination Office, which is to be located within the Premier’s department, will also be accountable to the parliament.

Ms Palaszczuk also created a leaders’ forum, which she will chair, to have oversight of the Olympics Co-ordination Office.

Also on the leaders’ forum will be Olympics organising committee president Andrew Liveris, several South-East Queensland mayors and two federal ministers.

A spokesman for Ms Palaszczuk said the Games bid had been supported by all three levels of government.

“The vast majority of infrastructure is already built, and no infrastructure is being built just for the Games,” he said.

“Some infrastructure is being brought forward in time for the Games so it’s built sooner.

“The Queensland Government will consider any request from the senate committee.”