Greens threat to use balance of power to block Gabba Olympics stadium

The Greens have warned they will “explore’’ using their power in federal Parliament to block a highly controversial plan to demolish The Gabba for an Olympics opening ceremony stadium.

The Greens have warned they might use their balance of power in the Senate to block a deeply controversial plan to build an Olympics stadium at The Gabba.

The State Government has come under heavy fire over the plan for the stadium, to host the opening ceremony of the 2032 Games, which some have estimated could cost $2.5 billion.

Several hundred East Brisbane State School students and parents rallied at the school this morning to protest the demolition plan, which they feared would mean the closure of the 123-year-old heritage-listed school, or moving students until the stadium was built.

The Commonwealth had agreed before the election to be a 50 per cent funding partner for the project, which the State Government originally costed at about $1 billion.

Carla Proietti with her children Solene Krause, 6 and Nicholas Krause, 7 and other protesters this morning outside the school. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Local federal Greens MP, Max Chandler, said the party would “explore the possibility’’ of blocking any federal funding using its balance of power in the senate, via a disallowance motion.

Mr Chandler-Mather said the stadium plan was policy on the run, announced just two days before the International Olympic Committee revealed Brisbane had won the bid to host the 2032 Games.

He said not only would it waste huge sums of public money for a one-off event and disrupt or close the school, nearby Raymond Park in Kangaroo Point would be ripped up for a warm-up track.

The park has long been used by locals for a community garden, dog offleash area and sports fields in a suburb with very limited public green space.

“If (federal Labor Infrastructure) Minister Catherine King decides to support the project, the Greens will use the balance of power in the Senate to try and block the Gabba funding, potentially via a disallowance motion,’’ Mr Chandler-Mather said.

Several hundred parents, residents and school students attended the protest. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“We will do everything we can to protect East Brisbane State School and Raymond Park from this disastrous plan.

“The Federal Government should be investing $2.5 billion in affordable housing, health and education, not in a plan that will see the destruction of a local school and park all for an extra 8000 seats and a two-week sporting event.

“Today’s demonstration sends a powerful message to the Federal Government.

“The only people that want to proceed with this stupid, destructive $2.5 billion Gabba plan are members of the State Government.”

Ms King was approached for comment.

A Department of Education spokesman said the State Government was committed to ensuring all students had access to high quality learning opportunities.

“The Gabba redevelopment is expected to impact East Brisbane State School during

construction and over the longer term,’’ he said.

“Once a decision has been made on the extent and timing of the stadium re-build on the

school, options will be discussed with the school.

“We have always committed to undertaking further consultation with the East Brisbane State

School community.’’

Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather addresses the protesters. Picture: Steve Pohlner

School P&C president, Haline Ly, said her school “could not survive’’ if demolition of The Gabba went ahead in late 2025 as planned.

“The Olympics was announced 18 months ago and we have been told nothing,’’ Ms Ly said.

“We have no idea if our school will still be here in two years time.

“There are 315 students at East Brisbane State School with families getting ready to enrol their kids next year and they don’t know where they’ll be learning, playing and meeting their friends in two years time.

“We are asking the government to put education first. The $2.4 billion for the Gabba rebuild should be going towards building new schools, not tearing them down.’’

The school is within metres of The Gabba, in places, leading parents to fear it would have to at least be closed for extended periods because of noise, dust and vibration during demolition.

The heritage-listed school might have to be closed temporarily or even permanently. Picture: Richard Walker

Parents said there were no other nearby state primary schools with capacity to take EBSS students, while a proliferation of highrise unit development meant enrolment pressure would only grow in coming years.

Local state Greens MP, Amy MacMahon, said it was still time for the State Government to back down.

“We’re calling on Minister King to not make the same mistake as Grace Grace — don’t be responsible for bulldozing a local school and a park.”

Local Greens Councillor, Jonathan Sriranganathan, queried “what kind of sick, twisted government’’ would prioritise funding to demolish and rebuild sports stadiums ahead of housing homeless people.