Brisbane 2032: Gabba rebuild talks to remain closed doors

Talks between the Albanese and Palaszczuk governments over the controversial Gabba redevelopment will remain behind closed doors, amid fears it could tarnish relations between the two.

Talks between the Albanese and Palaszczuk governments over the Gabba redevelopment will remain behind closed doors after it was ruled disclosing correspondence would “prejudice relations” and “impair negotiations” between the two.

The Gabba redevelopment for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games has become a touchy subject between the two Labor governments, with the Commonwealth not endorsing the 50-50 funding split agreed to by the Morrison Government and raising questions over plans for the stadium.

But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk this week remained adamant the Gabba will be rebuilt, despite the federal government baulking at the funding.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne sought the release of correspondence, emails, briefings and meeting minutes between the Infrastructure Minister and Premier’s office, using the Senate to secure an order to produce the documents.

But Ms King claimed public interest immunity to block the demands.

“Production of these documents would substantially impair or prejudice negotiations with the Queensland Government in relation to this particular project, and would adversely affect development of future infrastructure funding agreements,” she said in response to the order.

Senator Allman-Payne questioned how the state government could be confident about the Gabba redevelopment when its federal counterpart said no decision had been made.

“The Federal Government’s refusal to release communications with the Queensland Government on this project – on extremely spurious grounds – is disappointing, and suggests that they’re pretty keen to avoid being held accountable for the needless destruction of a local school and park,” she said.

Queensland Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Federal Infrastructure Department deputy secretary David Hallinan confirmed in Senate Estimates this week that the State Government had provided a “list of projects” it was seeking agreement on, there had been no outcomes yet.

“The Queensland government has written to us on a number of occasions, both with

potential projects and a couple of different lists of potential projects, as well as their views on what governance arrangements could look like,” he said.

He said both transport infrastructure and sporting facilities were under negotiation, but it was too early for any final outcome.