International hunt on to fill Brisbane Olympic Games top job

A global search will soon begin to find an applicant to fill one of the most important positions needed as we head towards the 2032 Olympic Games.

An international search will start within weeks to find the president of Brisbane’s powerful Olympic Games organising committee.

The state government is understood to be finalising the appointment of an agency which will undertake a global search for the person to lead Brisbane’s planning for the 2032 Olympic Games – and several independent directors.

The person named president will be jointly endorsed by Annastacia Palaszczuk and Scott Morrison.

The first step to delivering the 2032 Olympic Games will be taken on Friday when a parliamentary committee reviewing the proposed make-up of the organising committee hands down its report.

State parliament is then set to debate the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Bill, which will facilitate the establishment of the committee, at next week’s final sitting of the year.

The committee must be established by December 21 under an agreement signed with the International Olympic Committee after Brisbane’s selection as host city in July.

An artist's impression of fireowrks over a transformed Brisbane for the Olympic Games 2032.

A spokesman for the Palaszczuk government would not comment on the appointment of an agency to recruit the president, or when the Premier would name her four directors.

“The legislation that will allow for the organising committee is before the relevant committee for consultation,” he said.

“Announcements about the organisation and its membership will happen at the appropriate time.”

There is speculation Sport Ministers Stirling Hinchliffe and Richard Colbeck will be appointed to the committee, while high-profile figures such as Gina Rinehart, Kate Jones and Graham Quirk have also been mentioned. A big field of Brisbane sporting and business personalities are also jostling for a spot on the board.

It is understood the Prime Minister is close to revealing his selections.

The make-up of the board has already drawn criticism from Gold Coast council leaders, whose local government interests will be represented on the committee by Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Redlands Mayor Karen Williams.

City of Gold Coast Acting CEO Joe McCabe said the tourist region should have a dedicated voice on the organising committee.

He said the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast local government areas would also host about a third of all events.