Brisbane 2032 Olympics: Qld pushes controversial deal for more power

The State Government could be set to wield unprecedented power over the delivery of billions of dollars in Olympic Games infrastructure under a controversial deal being negotiated with the Federal Government.

Hayden Johnson

2 min read

July 25, 2022 - 12:00AM

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The Queensland Government could hold unprecedented power over the delivery of billions of dollars in Olympic Games infrastructure under a controversial deal being negotiated with the Federal Government.

The Courier-Mail understands the State Government is drawing up plans to establish a critical Olympic Games infrastructure agency within its existing departments.

The agency would be responsible for planning and delivering new Games venues and major infrastructure upgrades, including the cornerstone $1bn Gabba redevelopment, in the lead up to the 2032 event.

Establishing an infrastructure agency within the public service, and not as an independent organisation, is a departure from previous Games.

The move was 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.

However, it is understood the election of the friendly Federal Labor Government has reinvigorated the State Government to walk back its agreement with the Coalition and push to contain the critical infrastructure agency within state government departments.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk look at an artist’s impression of the Gabba rebuild.

Queensland Premier and Olympics Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk would not reveal whether an infrastructure authority would be internal of the government but said negotiations with new Federal Government ministers were ongoing.

“I’ve had a meeting already with the Prime Minister (Anthony Albanese) about our joint collaboration and I’ll be having meetings with our federal minister as well about that,” she said.

“We have at roughly 80 to 85 per cent of the venues that already exist and a lot of planning is well underway.”

The former Coalition government had advocated for an sporting infrastructure agency to be established independent of government and had concerns about the Palaszczuk government’s push to instead contain it within the existing bureaucracy.

A 50-50 funding split to upgrade The Gabba for the Olympic Games was also agreed to by the former Morrison Government on the agreement a federal and state “owned, funded and run” Olympic Infrastructure Agency with full oversight of projects.

The Queensland Government’s push to have control over the infrastructure authority is at odds with previous Games, where host cities would establish independent authorities to deliver Olympic projects.

An artist’s impression of the proposed Gabba redevelopment for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

London created an Olympic Delivery Authority to build new venues and transform city precincts ahead of the 2012 Games, while an Olympic Coordination Authority was established by the New South Wales government in 1995 to deliver venues and legacy projects for the Sydney 2000 Games.

New South Wales’ co-ordination authority consolidated sections of five state government departments responsible for delivering the venues and reported to the government’s Olympics Minister.

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

A spokeswoman for Albanese government Infrastructure Minister Catherine King also declined to say whether the infrastructure agency would be independent of the Palaszczuk government, but said negotiations were ongoing.

“The Queensland Government has proposed a program of transport and venue infrastructure projects to support the Games, which is currently being considered by the Australian Government,” she said.

“The Australian Government is committed to continuing to work collaboratively with all levels of government and consulting the community on Games related infrastructure projects.”