Andrew Liveris pledges to never omit Paralympians in planning for 2032 Games

The Brisbane 2032 planning boss says the ‘optics’ of including Paralympics is critical for promoting inclusion following criticism of Premier’s ministerial title omission. PODCAST LIVE

Brisbane 2032 boss has declared he will never omit Paralympians at any stage in preparing to host the Games following Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s delay to include Paralympics in her ministerial title.

Speaking exclusively with The Courier-Mail and Nova’s Toward The Games podcast, Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympic Games Organising Committee president Andrew Liveris stressed the importance of optics in the crucial planning stages to ensure inclusivity is honoured for all athletes.

The comments come after Paralympics Australia Athletes’ Commission last week released an open letter pleading with Ms Palaszczuk to amend her ministerial title.

The Premier responded and included a reference to Paralympians but faced a barrage of criticism from athletes, who revealed they had been lobbying Ms Palaszczuk on the issue for the past year.

Mr Liveris said the Premier was a “very intelligent engaged leader” who was committed to the success of the Games.

“Good on her for moving to the right answer but, at the end of the day, when it was first put together, there was a good answer for that as well,” the respected global business leader told Toward The Games.

“But I’ve got Paralympians on my board and I have people like Jock O’Callaghan and others, I cannot forget because they won’t let me forget the importance of the Paralympics and that’s right — the importance of optics and really making sure that you’re an audience of Paralympians.

Andrew Liveris revealed his bold plans for the Games on Wednesday. Picture: David Clark

“I need them at the table very engaged and wanting, and no negative connotations.

“So good on the Premier for moving to the right answer.”

Ms Palaszczuk said last week she recognised and accepted it was an issue Paralympians felt strongly about, and she was more than willing to oblige and add the term to her title.

But she said the original omission was based on advice she had received from the Games’ world governing body.

“I actually checked this, because I was concerned myself, I checked with the International Olympic Committee,” she said.

“They did indicate that there wasn’t any issue with it, but I understand this is a feeling that is coming from the Paralympians themselves, and therefore I’m happy to (include the term in the title).

“We want an inclusive Games.

“I was also a previous minister for disabilities as well (and) I want to make these games as inclusive as possible – so very happy to do that.”

But Mr O’Callaghan, Paralympic Australia president, told The Courier-Mail last week he knew of multiple people who had approached Ms Palaszczuk about the title at functions.

“We had tried to do it very carefully and very sensitively, and that had happened over the course of many, many months – beginning in October,” he said.

“I remain so concerned the athletes at the heart of the issue had to come out publicly (on it) … they had to step out well beyond their comfort zones.”