Olympics leaders forum ‘not independent’: Coalition
The Brisbane 2032 Olympics “leaders’ forum” will be a political body unable to scrutinise how $3.4 billion in federal cash will be spent, according to the Coalition.
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The Brisbane 2032 Olympics “leaders’ forum” will be a political body unable to scrutinise how $3.4 billion in federal cash will be spent, according to the Coalition.
It follows Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announcing that a leaders’ forum, which she will chair, will have oversight of the Olympics Coordination Office, which will be located in her department.
Ms Palaszczuk has defended the move, despite previous commitments to have an independent authority, saying it cut red tape and costs.
Federal Opposition Sports spokeswoman Senator Anne Ruston questioned the transparency of the arrangement for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“This proposal is clearly not an independent body if it’s within a state department and chaired by the Premier,” Senator Ruston said.
“The Coalition have called for an independent oversight body to ensure appropriate use of taxpayers money, and Labor has responded with a political body that cannot be scrutinised in relation to federal funding.”
The leaders’ forum will include two state Ministers, including the Premier, two federal ministers, the mayors of Brisbane, Gold and Sunshine Coasts, as well as a representative from the South East Queensland Council of Mayors and Organising Committee for the Olympic Games president Andrew Liveris.
A Deloitte report, commission by the State Government, found the co-ordination office would be accountable to the parliament, which an external and independent oversight authority would not.
Federal Opposition Infrastructure spokeswoman Senator Bridget McKenzie said that in the economic circumstances the Games needed to be maximum value for money.
“With all Australians contributing more than $7 billion in Games infrastructure, it is a concern the operations of the Premier’s “co-ordination office” will not be subject to examination by Senate Estimates, the Australian National Audit Office or even the new federal integrity commission,” she said.
“So while Queensland officials are answerable to state Parliament and a committee which has federal ministers on it, there is no mechanism by which Federal Parliament can scrutinise cost or delivery.”
Ms Palaszczuk has defended locating the co-ordination office within her own department, saying it was more efficient and pointed to a specially commissioned Deloitte report found this arrangement would avoid bureaucratic double-ups and costs.
“It cuts red tape while, at the same time, provides input from all of our Games partners,” she said.
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