Queensland Olympics tour: Ted O’Brien crashes Sunshine Coast events

A Sunshine Coast MP says he was snubbed from the invite list for high-level talks about the region’s involvement in the 2032 Olympics, claims the state government disputes.

A Sunshine Coast politician has slammed the state government after he claims he was left off the initial invite list for important meetings about the region’s involvement in the 2032 Olympic Games.

The Queensland government and members of the International Olympic Committee were on Tuesday touring potential Sunshine Coast venues for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Sitting Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien – also the federal government’s special envoy to the 2032 Games – claims he found out about the tour via the media.

Mr O’Brien wrote to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Steven Miles on Tuesday morning informing he would attend the tour.

A spokeswoman for Mr Miles denied the claims and said Mr O’Brien was invited.

She said Mr O’Brien’s letter was sent hours after he was invited.

But Mr O’Brien’s office claimed they did not receive any information and maintains the federal government was not invited.

“I learnt about the tour through the media and sought a copy of the itinerary through the IOC,” Mr O’Brien, who is seeking re-election, said.

“It is a reflection of the extent to which the Queensland government is prepared to game play on an opportunity that should be free from politicking.”

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien has a bold vision to create a multipurpose convention and exhibition centre at Maroochydore CBD ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Ms Palaszczuk has come under fire for the three-day tour after she invited her surgeon partner Dr Reza Adib to an Olympics meeting even though Commonwealth, Paralympic and Indigenous representatives weren’t invited.

Her office initially defended the decision, but Ms Palaszczuk on Tuesday morning apologised and said it was a mistake.

Mr O’Brien said he was concerned the Sunshine Coast tour itinerary did not include discussions about the proposed indoor stadium and convention centre at the Maroochydore CBD, slated to host basketball preliminaries.

He said he would discuss the need for this project and for a new passenger rail line to Maroochydore.

“I will be insisting the IOC receives a briefing of the possibility of hosting basketball preliminaries in an indoor stadium that would form part of a multipurpose entertainment centre,” Mr O’Brien said.

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien is calling for funds for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games to go towards an $80m convention and exhibition centre at the Maroochydore City Centre.

Mr O’Brien said the federal government should have been included in the first place.

“My attendance is right and proper,” he said.

The event is expected to be a game-changer for the Sunshine Coast, particularly Maroochydore which is expected to host events and accommodate athletes and coaches.

The Maroochydore City Centre – being developed by Walker Corporation – has been slated for the development of a satellite village for athletes, families and staff.

It would require 1374 beds and include a mix of residential housing and commercial facilities.

The Sunshine Coast is also expected to host cycling, athletics and sailing at Alexandra Headland, cycling at the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre and football at the Sunshine Coast Stadium.

The stadium would require an upgrade to reach a capacity of 20,000.

It is understood no media events have been scheduled as part of the delegation's Sunshine Coast tour.