Olympics boss declares Brisbane isn’t ‘a hillbilly town’, reveals where pollies went wrong

Andrew Liveris says negativity about the 2032 Games was sparked by the government’s decision to pander to ‘a vocal minority’ and axe plans to rebuild the Gabba.

Olympic committee boss Andrew Liveris has declared Brisbane “is not a hillbilly town” and can put on a spectacular Games while reiterating pleas for leaders to stop using it as a political football.

Speaking in Paris after presenting to the International Olympic Committee Mr Liveris, Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee president, acknowledged sentiment within Queensland was poor eight years before the Games – despite significant achievements by his team.

He was peppered afterwards by Australian media about how his message of collaboration to the IOC squared with ongoing political bickering over venues in Brisbane.

Mr Liveris sensationally revealed negativity about the 2032 Games was sparked by the government’s decision to pander to “a vocal minority” and axe plans to rebuild the Gabba.

“When you’re in a political process – elections – there’s gonna be stuff and communities are going to have a voice,” he said

Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President Andrew Liveris. Photo: Steve Pohlner

“Frankly, the Gabba thing just made things go south because of the school, because of the affected neighbourhoods around Raymond Park.

“Was it fair, did it indicate the sentiment of most people? No. I think it was a vocal minority affected.

“That’s democracy … I think you’ve just got to live with the fact that there’s going to be affected people, no matter what you do, of something of this scale.“

Mr Liveris repeated a plea to Queensland politicians to deliver their promise and not “whiplash” the community by changing plans.

Queensland is not a hillbilly town, says Andrew Liveris.

“Stop making the Olympics a political football please … this is a gift, this is a great gift,” he said.

“Brisbane is not a hillbilly town It’s not that strange place up north. It’s very cosmopolitan – maybe not 24/7 yet in terms of opening of venues – but on its way.”

Mr Liveris praised Premier Steven Miles and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli for focusing on delivering a Games for regional Queensland.

He said the IOC was impressed with the progress of the organising committee and revealed in the next year it would release the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games emblems and form a commercial partnership plan.

Premier Steven Miles said it was not “uncommon” for support of the Games to “ebb and flow” between winning hosting rights and the event happening.

“Having discussed these matters with other host cities, it’s not uncommon for there to be a peak in support and then ebbs and flows throughout the period of time from winning the games until the excitement builds closer to when the games are due to be hosted,” he said.

The State Government rejected a new stadium for a remake of the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre at Nathan. Picture: Nigel Hallett

On Mr Liveris’ calls for the Games not to be politicised, Mr Miles laid blame on the Queensland Opposition for “spending nearly two days talking about” the Games at budget estimates--- an annual process where the government is put under the spotlight for its choices.

The budget estimates process has helped reveal the $1bn cost estimates Queensland submitted to the IOC as part of its host bid was “not based on any analysis”. Mr Liveris noted refinement to venues would continue, labelling it a “dynamic annual plan, until it isn’t”.

He noted 27 of the 30 recommendations of former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk’s infrastructure review were being implemented.

Mr Quirk’s key recommendation, however – building a new circle stadium for the growing city’s AFL and cricket squads – was ignored in favour of using the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre at Nathan.

It would be the smallest athletics venue in more than 100 years and likely affect Brisbane 2032’s ticket revenue.

Mr Liveris noted a project validation report was underway for the venue, which would detail the number of seats and how ticket prices would change to reach the goal of $1.2bn in revenue.

“I don’t have any statement to make until I see that,” he said.