Queensland MPs Albo’s picks for Brisbane Olympic Games team

The Prime Minister has put forward his two picks for Brisbane’s Olympic Games organising committee, filling the gaps caused by the Coalition’s election loss.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has put forward his two picks for Brisbane’s Olympic Games organising committee, filling the gaps caused by the Coalition’s election loss.

Mr Albanese confirmed Sports Minister Anika Wells and Moreton MP Graham Perrett – both of them Queenslanders – had been nominated to the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It will be up to the Queensland government to ratify his picks, but Mr Albanese said he had “confidence” they would view his choices as “ideal members” for the group.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she “absolutely” supported Mr Albanese’s picks.

Ms Wells and Mr Perrett would replace former Sports Minister Richard Colbeck and Olympics envoy Ted O’Brien.

MPs Graham Perrett and Anika Wells have both been nominated for the Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic Games.

“We are now on the green and gold runway with ten years remaining until Brisbane 2032,” Mr Albanese said.

“The board of the Organising Committee have vital decisions to make to ensure the Games leave a lasting legacy for Australia.

“I can’t think of two better candidates than the Minister Sport, and Member for Lilley, Anika Wells and Member for Moreton Graham Perrett.”

Eyebrows were raised in June when Ms Palaszczuk booted Mr O’Brien and Senator Colbeck off the committee just days after the election defeat, despite questions over whether it was her place to do so.

Ms Palaszczuk is Olympics Minister and a vice president on the committee along with Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Olympic stalwart John Coates.

A government spokesman at the time said Ms Palaszczuk wrote to the pair because she was “responsible for the legislation” which dismissed them.

It is understood the decision to terminate the Coalition appointments would be the responsibility of incoming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.