2032 Games to supercharge economy of entire Pacific, says president Andrew Liveris

Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will supercharge the economy of the entire Pacific region, with the event boss saying the river city will cement its status as the gateway to the region.

• Editor’s view: Games can benefit us all

Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will supercharge the economy of the entire Pacific region, president Andrew Liveris says, with the event boss saying the river city will cement its status as the gateway to the region.

Set to speak at the Oceania National Olympic Committees Conference on Tuesday, Mr Liveris says the opportunities of hosting the Games in Oceania – just the third time ever and the first in more than 30 years – extended far beyond the event, with long-term trade and tourism benefits to be captured in the nine years ahead.

He also said Australia’s neighbours would prove key to establishing the major workforce required to host the Games, as well as tapping into skills needed for broadcast, marketing and education in the lead-up.

“Brisbane 2032 will be broadcast to more than 200 nations and three billion people across the world,” he said.

Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee president Andrew Liveris. Picture: David Clark

“We will make Brisbane a global household name, so that it is known, mentioned and respected in the same breath as Barcelona, Vancouver, Paris, LA, New York, Rome and beyond.

“We can use the Games as a catalyst to push our tourism and trade industries into a new global realm.

“A rising tide lifts all boats.”

Mr Liveris said hosting the world’s biggest global event in Oceania was a rare chance to improve the wellbeing and economy for the entire region of Pacific Islands – and should not be lost.

“We want our global guests to come early to visit our island nation neighbours, join us for the Games and stay to do business after the flame has gone out, extending the commercial tourism opportunity beyond Australia’s shores,” he said.

“What better way to entice visitors than through Games opportunities like the Torch Relay, which can be carefully planned in partnership with tourism authorities of participating nations and designed to showcase the unique beauty and welcome of the region.”

An artist’s impression of the proposed Gabba redevelopment for Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Mr Liveris also outlined how Australia’s surrounding island neighbours would also become a key factor in recruiting the massive workforce needed to put on the Games, with more than 50,000 volunteers needed, and thousands of direct staff for just the organising committee by the time of the event.

“We cannot deliver these Games alone,” he said.

“I want to work together on an engagement framework in these early years so that when it’s time to ramp up on mass recruitment for workforce and volunteers and procurement for OCOG service needs, we’re ready to tap into the skills, experience and enthusiasm of the people across the Pacific.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee president Andrew Liveris. Picture: NewsWire/Sarah Marshall

The former Dow Chemical chief executive and chairman – who last week celebrated one year in the top job – said he had spent the past 12 months engaging with stakeholders, with the Brisbane 2032 team having met more than 1100 people.

He said the two key lessons were, firstly, to keep sport at the heart of the planning.

“Secondly, that the strengths of Brisbane and its surrounding local regions be showcased on the global stage,” he said.

“We learned how to set the Organising Committee up for success, and how to deliver the Games so they are commercially viable and fiscally responsible.

“We also learned that we need to ensure we are inclusive of our diverse community along the way.”