Brisbane 2032 Olympics: Premier downplays Games power grab

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she will work “hand in glove” with the Prime Minister in delivering billions in infrastructure.

Annastacia Palaszczuk says she will work collaboratively with the federal government amid a behind-the-scenes push to make her government responsible for delivering billions in Olympics infrastructure.

The Premier pointed to the Pacific Motorway and Bruce Highway as examples of good collaboration between the two governments, as she defended the push to let the state oversee the infrastructure for the Games.

“Well we (the state government) oversee like $50bn over four years in infrastructure and no one complains about that,” Ms Palaszczuk said on Monday.

Her comments came after The Courier-Mail revealed the state government was drawing up plans to establish a critical Olympic Games infrastructure agency within its existing departments.

The idea had been opposed by the previous federal Coalition government, which raised concerns the move would hand the state government too much control in the joint funding partnership.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the recent National Cabinet

As she was questioned about the issue on Monday, Ms Palaszczuk – who is also Olympics Minister – said she would work “hand in glove” with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to deliver the best Games.

“I urge you to go and drive on the Bruce Highway, go drive on the M1 and you will see the product of state governments working with federal governments,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“We’re looking at everything at the moment.

“And I’m talking to the Prime Minister.

“So we actually have a great collaboration that exists between the two.”

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie was “sceptical” the State Government could deliver critical Games infrastructure – accusing them of not having a good track record.

“It’s really alarming and concerning that the Premier is wanting to not have an independent body established looking after Olympic infrastructure,” he said.

“We (the LNP) would absolutely support a separate, independent body being established to oversee and deliver the infrastructure that’s required.”

The former Coalition government had agreed to a 50-50 funding split to upgrade the Gabba for the Games on the proviso that a federal and state “owned, funded and run” Olympic Infrastructure Agency would have full oversight of projects.

An infrastructure delivery agency is separate to the Brisbane organising and legacy committees, which have already been established.