Brisbane fails at first Olympic hurdle after missing key IOC deadline

Queensland has missed the first deadline set by the IOC since winning the 2032 Games, and organising committee members have received no instructions. LISTEN TO PODCAST

Queensland has missed the first deadline set by the International Olympic Committee in delivering the 2032 Games, with the State Government accused of dragging its feet eight months after winning the event.

Delays establishing the Brisbane Organising Committee for the Olympic Games – which will plan the $5 billion Games – has seen Brisbane miss the first deadline set by the IOC.

The Brisbane 2032 host contract, signed by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and IOC President Thomas Bach at Tokyo’s Okura Hotel in July, stipulates Brisbane’s organising committee must meet one month after it is formed as a legal entity.

That deadline, which was January 2, would allow the committee to ratify host contract, broadcast and marketing agreements.

However Brisbane’s 2032 Taskforce, the guiding authority before the committee is formed, was granted an extension until late February to fill nine committee vacancies and hold a meeting.

Ms Palaszczuk, who as Premier and Olympics Minister wields unchallenged power in Queensland’s Games planning, has delayed choosing her four appointments to the powerful organising committee.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks at the Tokyo Olympics after Brisbane was awarded the 2032 Games.

That delay – which has contributed to Brisbane missing the first IOC deadline – comes despite the Premier last month revealing she would sit on the committee because “someone has to be responsible for making sure the committee actually does their job in accordance with what I signed the state up to”.

Ms Palaszczuk has insisted she must wait for an external recruitment agency to provide a shortlist before her and Prime Minister Scott Morrison agree on five joint nominees.

A spokesman for the Premier said Brisbane has complied with its obligations under the Olympic Host Contract.

“A joint recruitment process with the Federal Government to fill five independent director positions on the board of the Brisbane Organising Committee, including the position of president, is ongoing,” he said.

“Finalisation of those positions will come within a fortnight.

“We remain in close contact with the IOC and continue to work towards hosting a magnificent Olympic and Paralympic Games in Queensland in 2032.”

Federal Liberal National MP Ted O’Brien, who was one of Mr Morrison’s four appointments to the committee, said the first meeting of the organising committee was due to be held “between the end of the Winter Games and the start of the Paralympic Games in Beijing”.

“We’re now in the middle of March without any meeting yet called,” he said.

“It’s time for the Queensland Government to get moving – let’s just get on with it.

“The Prime Minister made his four committee appointments three months ago but we’re still waiting for a decision from the Premier about hers.”

The Olympic Candidature Leadership Group members Kate Jones, Ted O'Brien, Adrian Schrinner, Annastacia Palaszczuk, John Coates and Mark Jamieson

Mr Morrison and Ms Palaszczuk discussed the Olympics during a phone call on Thursday, however it is understood the joint appointments were not discussed.

The International Olympic Committee declined to detail the extension offered to Brisbane’s Olympic task force but declared it was “comfortable” with how work was progressing.

“Part of this work is ensuring that the necessary legal documentation is in place in a timely manner in order to allow the Organising Committee to deliver successful Olympic and Paralympic Games,” a spokesman said.

“We are comfortable with how this work is progressing so far out from the Games.”

The Courier-Mail can also reveal people already named on Brisbane’s Olympic Games organising committee have not been contacted by the State Government since they were appointed, and have no details about when the group will meet.