’Revealed shortly’: Palaszczuk’s big promise over Games argy-bargy
The Premier has urged Queenslanders to have a “little bit of patience” as pressure mounts for her government and its federal counterparts to reveal funding details.
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Annastacia Palaszczuk has urged for a “little bit of patience” when pressed on when plans for the Gabba transformation and Games funding agreements will be revealed.
The Premier also insisted her relationship with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remained solid in the wake of ongoing negotiations over the details of the 50:50 Olympics infrastructure deal.
This week former Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the two sides need to stop the “argy-bargy” over the deal, which he struck with the Palaszczuk Government while in power.
Ms Palaszczuk insisted infrastructure project timelines had not been impacted, adding “every one will be revealed very shortly”.
“We have a very good relationship with the federal government – in all my conversations with the Prime Minister he is absolutely committed to the Olympics,” she said.
“There’s absolutely no disagreement – this commentary is actually not correct.
“Don’t forget these Games are a long way away.
“And over 80 per cent of our infrastructure is already built.”
Ms Palaszczuk’s comments come after the federal government again declined to provide details on funding and infrastructure negotiations with the Queensland Government around the 2032 Games, including on the proposed Gabba redevelopment.
There has been ongoing friction between the state and federal governments over the Olympic funding deal, but Mr Albanese and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk indicated after national cabinet last week that an announcement could be coming shortly.
Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne moved a motion this week, backed by the Coalition and crossbench, demanding Infrastructure Minister Catherine King front the Senate on Wednesday to deliver an explanation.
Minister Murray Watt, representing Ms King in the Senate on Wednesday, claimed public interest immunity to avoid providing details of the talks, saying it involved releasing correspondence between the state and federal governments.
“Disclosure would harm the Commonwealth’s ongoing relationship with the State Government on this and future infrastructure funding arrangements,” he said.
Senator Allman-Payne said it was a spurious use of public interest immunity.
“The Gabba Stadium project was announced in April 2021. It’s been almost two years since then, and yet we still don’t know,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk assured Queenslanders that said “next time the Prime Minister is here, I’m sure we will have an announcement to make” but refused to say when that would be.
“In fact my conversations with the Prime Minister have been absolutely reassuring.
“There’s a whole lot of work being done behind the scenes.
“I don’t think you have too much longer to wait.”
Opposition infrastructure spokeswoman Senator Bridget McKenzie said there was an eight-year lead time for major projects which still needed plans, tenders and construction to start.
She also warned the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games risk becoming like the notorious Rio Games unless the state and federal governments quickly agree to a funding deal and start work, the federal Opposition warned in a fiery spray. The 2016 Rio Olympics were beset by a number of problems, including infrastructure delays and claims of an “uninhabitable” athletes village.
“It’s going to look like Rio if you don’t get your act together,” she said.
“The road and rail projects that need to be built for these Games to be successful, and we want them to be successful, haven’t even been started.”
Opposition sports spokeswoman Senator Anne Ruston said the former Morrison Government’s 50-50 funding deal was contingent on the creation of a joint oversight body to oversee how the money would be spent.
“You would think this government … would be very careful about handing over a blank cheque to the Queensland government,” he said.
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