$35m Gabba refurbishment a waste is it’s demolished for Olympics: Dale Last

The state Opposition has taken aim at a $35m refurbishment of the Gabba, only to have it potentially demolished as part of a major redevelopment for the 2032 Olympic Games.

THE state Opposition has taken aim at a $35m refurbishment of the Gabba, only to have it potentially demolished as part of a major redevelopment for the 2032 Olympic Games.

On July 1, 2019 former MP and then deputy premier Jackie Trad announced the refurbishment and the upgrades were included in the Queensland government’s Unite and Recover plans.

The LNP has taken aim at the decision, despite throwing its support behind the state’s Olympics bid.

Burdekin MP Dale Last has attacked the spend, saying the upgrades were a total waste of money.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - FEBRUARY 25, 2021. Queensland Shadow Minister for Police Dale Last speaks during a press conference at Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“This Labor state government thinks it’s acceptable to spend $35 million on the Gabba despite knowing they plan to bulldoze it,” he said.

The ABC first reported on the plans to upgrade the stadium in May 2018.

“Locals are fed up with Labor throwing around money in Brisbane and ignoring us in the North,” Mr Last said.

“$35 million could have been invested in the North to employ more doctors and nurses, fix our hospitals and help reduce surgery wait lists.

“This is a Brisbane-based government with absolutely no idea of the issues affecting North Queensland. This short-sightedness is a slap in the face and the Premier has completely lost touch with rural and regional Queenslanders.”

Originally published as $35m Gabba refurbishment a waste is it’s demolished for Olympics: Dale Last