Brisbane 2032 poll: Queenslanders lose faith in delivery of promised benefits
Confidence in the state’s ability to deliver the 2032 Olympic Games has plunged, as new polling reveals one in two Queenslanders fear promised benefits will not be delivered. But one minister has today dismissed the sentiment.
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Energy Minister Mick de Brenni has dismissed polling suggesting confidence in the state’s ability to deliver the 2032 Olympic Games has plunged under Steven Miles.
Mr de Brenni on Sunday declared there was “more than enough time” to get infrastructure ready.
“We’ve got a long runway for things like infrastructure and transport and the like but it takes longer to actually develop our athletes,” he said.
“Sport is where our focus needs to be, we’ve got plenty of time to work through the issues of where that sport is played.”
His comments come after YouGov polling for The Sunday Mail reveals declining confidence that the state government is best placed to deliver the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on time and budget, with one in two Queenslanders fear promised benefits will not be delivered.
DO YOU AGREE WITH THE POLLS? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW
The polling of 1092 voters between April 9 and 17 revealed just 14 per cent thought the government was best at handling the Games, down from 21 per cent in October under then-premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli is now considered better at handling the event, with his support rising from 21 per cent in October to 30 per cent in April.
Outside the South East news is more grim for Mr Miles, with just 9 per cent of regional Queenslanders confident Labor will deliver the Games on time and on budget.
Mr Crisafulli’s support is at 30 per cent, while 29 per cent of people say neither major party gives them confidence.
Half of all Queenslanders fear long-awaited transport infrastructure benefits promised by the government as part of the Games will not be delivered. Half also hold concerns the state’s political leaders are being guided by short-term thinking “rather than a bold long-term vision”.
When asked how eager they were for the 2032 Games, 37 per cent of respondents were either very or fairly excited, while 59 per cent said they were not that excited. In regional Queensland 66 per cent of people were not excited for the Games and 30 per cent were very or fairly excited.
The YouGov polling was conducted weeks after controversy engulfed the government over its decision to axe the Gabba and spend $1.6bn upgrading the 1980s-era Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre at Nathan.
It reveals Queenslanders are split over the state’s stadium plan.
Some 31 per cent of people say they “don’t know” what their preferred stadium is, ahead of 26 per cent in favour of the QSAC upgrade and 22 per cent supporting of a new facility at Victoria Park.
The scuttled $2.7bn Gabba redevelopment, which formed the hallmark of Brisbane’s bid for the Games in 2021, drew support from 21 per cent of people.
Delivery of the 2032 Olympic Games has been a lower public priority for Mr Miles as premier following criticism that his predecessor, Ms Palaszczuk, was too focused on the event amid a trio of crime, housing and cost-of-living challenges.
In December, after taking the top job, Mr Miles axed the three Olympic-related portfolios established by Ms Palaszczuk and has pledged to leave infrastructure delivery to an independent authority.
WORTH ALL THE EFFORT
Cate Campbell believes the Brisbane Olympics can unite Australia with a Matildas-style vibe and leave cultural legacies which will be celebrated for decades.
The four-time Olympian understands the apathy and frustration which has gripped the state amid the confusion and cost of the 2032 Games, but believes the long-lasting benefits will make the pain worthwhile.
“There will be disruptions because things need to be built and upgraded, but the net benefit and net positive is going to far outweigh that,’’ she said.
“I really feel the people of Brisbane can’t comprehend how big this is going to be for our city.
“Australia got a taste of it during the women’s football World Cup (last year).
“This was a big international sporting event which did incur costs and could be expensive, however we saw it galvanise the country and unite us like I had never seen in recent years.
“The most-watched events in Australian (television) history are Cathy Freeman (winning the 400m at the Sydney Olympics) and the Matildas … then daylight.
“There is nothing that even comes close.’’
Freeman’s epic victory attracted a peak audience of 8.8 million, while Australia’s penalty shootout victory against France in Brisbane attracted 7.2 million, making it more than twice as big as most State of Origin games.
“I believe that if we get it right we have the opportunity to change the Australian culture and have a mark firmly stamped on the global world stage,” Campbell said.
“When we get there we will have a great time.”
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