Prime Minister vows to back Coast's Olympic dream

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison has promised his government would be a "willing partner” to a southeast Queensland 2032 Olympics bid.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is understood to have told the Premier a Sunshine State bid for the Games would have the full backing of the Federal Government. Picture: Matt Taylor GLA170519SCOMO

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison has promised his government would be a "willing partner” to a southeast Queensland 2032 Olympics bid, as part of breakthrough talks with Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Mr Morrison is understood to have told the Premier a Sunshine State bid for the Games would have the full backing of the Federal Government, during an almost one hour long meeting in Ms Palaszczuk's Brisbane office.

Despite some tension between the pair previously, it is understood to have been a positive meeting and expected to lead to outcomes.

Job-creating infrastructure will also be fast tracked in Queensland in a separate agreement between the two leaders yesterday.

The Sunshine Coast Daily understands Mr Morrison told the Premier that the Federal Government would be a "willing partner” in any Olympics bid.

Ms Palaszczuk has been reluctant to sign up to the bid, being pushed by the Southeast Queensland Council of Mayors, waiting to discuss the matter with the Prime Minister and demanding funding certainty.

It was despite Mr Morrison committing $10 million towards a bid during the election campaign and speaking openly in support of it.

Mr Morrison is understood to have given her the assurance that the Federal Government will assist with funding both the bid and Games.

It would also provide assistance with national security and border security, similar to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, should the bid be successful.

Ms Palaszczuk is seeking further details about the bid process from the International Olympic Committee.

"We were just waiting on the final report coming from the IOC ... then we will make a decision about that,” she said.

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien will today be appointed the commonwealth's representative on any 2032 bid. Picture: Patrick Woods

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien will today be appointed the commonwealth's representative on any 2032 bid and will co-ordinate with his Federal colleagues, Ministers and third parties.

"There's no doubt securing the 2032 Olympics would be an enormous coup, but there's a lot of work to do between now and then,” Mr O'Brien said.

The two leaders also discussed options of infrastructure projects already committed to which could be brought forward to start sooner.

The Queensland Government will bring forward a wish list of projects, which the Prime Minister will then consider.

The Cross River Rail has been ruled out of contention and will remain fully-funded by the State Government.

"Queensland would work in a collaborative effort with Canberra, and the Prime Minister, to see where we can accelerate some infrastructure,” she said.

"At the end of the day it's about jobs and getting people into work.”